Aussie Swim Stars Stand United As Speedo Unveils Green And Gold Suits for Birmingham Commonwealth Games
It was a case of “unity wrapped in the green and gold” when Australian swimming’s biggest names were on show on Queensland’s Gold Coast today for Speedo’s unveiling of its Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Australian aquatic sports team uniforms.
PODIUM POSE: Zac Stubblety-Cook, Ariarne Titmus, Emma McKeon and Mack Horton in Speedo’s latest tech race suits in Aussie Green and Gold at Miami Aquatic Centre. Photo Courtesy: Melissa Dounis (Speedo Australia).
Recent world record breakers and Tokyo gold medallists Ariarne Titmus and Zac Stubblety-Cook joined fellow 2020 Olympic golden girl Emma McKeon and 2016 Rio gold medallist Mack Horton poolside at Miami Aquatic Centre.
Speedo’s superstar lineup looked “Bold in Gold” in a unified stance along side Tokyo team members and rising stars, dual Tokyo relay gold medallist Mollie O’Callaghan, Tokyo finalist Elijah Winnington and fellow newly crowned Australian champions Lani Pallister and Josh Edwards-Smith and Para stars Braedan Jason and Jenna Jones.
They paraded the latest Speedo green and gold race suits and training swimwear to be used for training and competition at the Games.
The pool competition wear features Speedo’s latest tech race suits in Aussie Green and Gold; Fastskin Pure Intent and Fastskin Pure Valor designed to combine 20 years of pioneering performance with innovative technologies and fabrics to make the perfect suit for every type of competitive swimmer.
The green and gold diving competition and swim training suits feature the Commonwealth Games ‘Unity’ symbol, which was designed by Indigenous artist Jenna Lee, as part of a series of works created by Brisbane-based agency Gilimbaa, for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Reconciliation Action Plan.
The ‘Unity’ symbol was used on elements of the formal uniforms for the Australian Team on the Gold Coast and has been incorporated into the swimwear for Birmingham 2022 so the athletes feel proud to be representing Australia.
BOLD ‘N GOLD: Braedan Jason, Mollie O’Callaghan, Lani Pallister, Josh Edwards-Smith, Elijah Winnington and Jenna Jones in the Speedo training suits. Photo Courtesy: Melissa Dounis (Speedo Australia). Photo Courtesy: Melissa Dounis (Speedo Australia).
The range also features Speedo’s latest Eco Endurance+ fabric made from recycled plastics and is 100% chlorine resistant.
Although not able to be present due to their own Trials taking place in Melbourne this week, diving stars Sam Fricker and Nikita Hains received a special delivery and were all able to try the diving competition suits and put them to the test.
McKeon, preparing for a third Games after debuting in Glasgow in 2014 and stepping up to the podium on the Gold Coast said she was looking forward to racing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games after accepting a wild card based on her Tokyo individual medals, gold in the 50 and 100m freestyle and bronze in the 100m butterfly.
“ I’ve worn Speedo since I was a young girl racing in school carnivals and it’s great that I can wear the Aussie colour Speedo suits to train and race in for this international event too,” said McKeon, who has already won a total of 12 Commonwealth Games medals – eight of them gold.
Stubblety-Cook, who became the first swimmer to break 2:06 with his 2:05.95 world record in the 200m breaststroke at the recent Australian Championships said: “Speedo has been at the forefront of swimsuit technology and an important part of my recent medal winning and record-breaking performances.
“I know I can swim my best in Speedo Fastskin suits and I’m really looking forward to in Birmingham”.
RINGS OF CONFIDENCE: World record holder and Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus now has Birmingham on her mind. Photo Courtesy: Melissa Dounis (Speedo Australia).
Fellow world record holder over 400m freestyle at the Trials, Titmus said there is a special feeling representing Australia and wearing a suit she feels comfortable in.
“It takes my performance to the next level,” said Titmus, who drew the curtain on the Trials, breaking Katie Ledecky’s world record over 400m freestyle, clocking a spectacular 3:56.40.
Speedo brand manager Graham Eyres, said: “After the excitement and incredible performances of our athletes last year and even more recently, we are really looking forward to seeing them compete again in in Birmingham.
“We’re proud to support them with the best green and gold swimwear and hope they inspire lots of Aussies to jump in to their own Speedos and go for a swim.”
Craig Phillips AM, CEO of Commonwealth Games Australia said Speedo had been a long-time supplier and partner of Australian Commonwealth Games Teams and athletes.
“They are trusted and give the athletes the best swimwear there is. We’ve no doubt the athletes will be bold in Birmingham and will perform with pride in their green and gold Speedos.”
UNITED STANCE: Diving stars Sam Fricker and Nikita Hains received a special delivery in Melbourne this week as they prepared for the Birmingham Trials. Photo Courtesy: Melissa Dounis (Speedo Australia).