Swimsuit manufacturer TYR Sport Inc. has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with European backstroke champ Camille Lacourt, which is a big move for a company that many had perceived as losing touch with their swimming-base in favor of the fast-rising triathlon market.
The deal was for an undisclosed sum, though in Lacourt’s own words it seems as though TYR is receiving his services at a discount. He told the French-language Le Figaro that he had more lucrative offers than the one he received from TYR, but he chose the Calfornia-based company because he was impressed with their responsiveness. He felt secure in the income from his prize money (which is often upwards of 100,000 Euro’s, or $140,000, a year) and was convinced that his partnership with TYR would be the best one for his performance.
In 2010, he was the European Champion in the 50 back, 100 back, and the lead-off leg of the winning 400 medley relay. He also gave the biggest long course World Record scare we’ve seen since the abolishing of polyurethane suits when he was within .17 of Aaron Peirsol’s 100 backstroke World Record, and a painful .03 away from Liam Tancock’s 50 backstroke all-time mark.
Lacourt is the latest feather in TYR’s hat, whose last big splash was the signing of 2010 NCAA 50 free champ Josh Schneider. TYR’s lineup is very backstroke heavy, and includes the 2008 Olympic silver medalist in the 100, Matt Grevers, and short course World Record holder Nick Thoman in addition to Lacourt. TYR has maintained a strong American-based lineup, with stars like Amanda Weir, Ariana Kukors, and Megan Jendrick, but appear to be making a strong push into the European market. Besides Lacourt, they’re also the official sponsors of Germany’s Deibler brothers (Markus and Steffen) and Danish sprinter Jeanette Ottesen.
“TYR has maintained a strong American-based lineup, with stars like Amanda Weird, ”
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Amanda WEIRD?
a freudian slip?