Michael Andrew, 16, signed a multi-year sponsorship agreement with adidas Swim almost two years to the day of becoming the youngest person to turn professional in the sport of swimming.
Andrew has been a rising age group star and posterboy for the Ultra Short Race Pace Training movement (as evidenced by his cover appearance on the June 2014 issue of Swimming World Magazine). During his rise to relevance within swimming, Andrew has attracted some attention with his non-traditional training methods, reliance on a father-coach, and his continual ability to race fast and break 14-and-under national age group records with regularity due to his home-schooled, swimming-first structure.
Photo Courtesy: Swimming World
Although Andrew’s record-breaking has seen a slow down after aging up into the much tougher 15-16 age division, Andrew is still in possession of 11 SCY and 7 LCM 14-and-under national age group records. This year, Andrew was able to crack his first 15-16 mark with a 1:01.67 in the men’s 100-meter breast. That performance lowered the previous mark of 1:01.93 set by Carsten Vissering in 2013, and put Andrew into the world rankings of the event back in January.
Earlier this year, Andrew also reconnected to his roots with a trip to his parents’ homeland of South Africa. Peter and Tina Andrew have shepherded Michael’s swimming career with Peter serving as his coach and Tina as his manager and agent.
The big question now for the Andrews and adidas is whether the popular swimmer can graduate from USA Swimming’s 2014-15 National Junior Team to the National Team in time to help the agreement pay off for both sides.
adidas’ Full Release:
Photo Courtesy: adidas Swim
adidas Swim announces a multi-year partnership with the 16 year old next generation swimmer, Michael Andrew.
Michael is currently the most successful national age group swimmer in the United States and the youngest male swimmer ever in the history of US swimming to turn pro. Andrew already set 76 age group records, among them the 50m long course freestyle making him the fastest 13-14 year old in American history. In 2015 Michael will compete in several national and international competitions, among them the US nationals.
Michael Andrew: “I’m super excited to sign with adidas. The brand has a strong history in swim and sports technology and I look forward to joining the group of adidas athletes and swimming in the legendary three stripes.”
Christine Barth-Darkow, Category Director Swim for adidas Global commented:”Michael’s drive, talent and personality fit perfectly with adidas’ ambition to empower young swimmers around the world. We look forward to supporting Michael on his journey to leave his mark on the global stage – for many years to come.”
Andrew joins a global group of adidas swimmers including Cesar Cielo, Allison Schmitt, Chris Walker-Hebborn and Coralie Balmy.
adidas AG just recently announced its new swimwear licensee and distributor for the US – The Original Swimwear Company (TOSC).
Matthew Peterson Campbell Tacon Lewis Clareburt