Australia’s Aquatic Stars Light Up The Catwalk At Speedo’s Paris Olympic Swimsuit Reveal
The stars of Australia’s aquatic sports lit up an otherwise inclement day when Speedo unveiled its “space age” connected Olympic swimsuits for Paris – overlooking the 2032 Games city of Brisbane today.
The golden girls of Tokyo Ariarne Titmus and Emma McKeon were front and centre on the catwalk as an impressive line-up, of stars from Olympic and Para swimming, diving, and water polo strutted their stuff and no way was a rain-soaked day in the Queensland capital going to rain on this parade.
The Speedo Olympic swimsuit launch is always the unofficial start to the Olympic year in Australia with its roots dating back to the 1956 Olympic team in Melbourne and the stars of Tokyo were on show alongside a new fresh brigade of faces determined to book their spots when the City of Light hosts the 2024 Games in less than 100n days.
The 2024 Speedo swimsuit range is highlighted by Speedo’s Fastskin® LZR® Intent 2.0 and LZR Valor 2.0 swimsuits – a striking combination of, Indigenous graphic designs and Speedo’s pioneering swimwear technology
I’LL BE BACK: Ariarne “Annie” Titmus on the catwalk to Paris. Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan (Speedo).
The collaboration with Lamoral has delivered suits with Speedo’s lowest water absorption and the most durable water repellence benefit. The innovative fabric coating is also lightweight and provides a feeling of weightlessness indicative of Lamoral’s space-age origins.
It is the first time a competitive range from Speedo has been developed by an all-female Aqualab team, made up of experts specialising in textile technology garment – and it was a big green an gold tick from the packed rooftop hotel crowd who welcomed the 2024 range.
With McKeon, the four-time Tokyo gold medallist, and defending champion in the 50 and 100m freestyle giving her suit of choice the tick of approval, saying: “This Speedo LZR Intent 2.0 is the best racing suit in the world, it feels fast, and I can’t wait to wear it.
“It is flexible and firm in the right spots and I feel like I can really move with the water not sticking to the suit.”
Additionally, the Speedo LZR Valor 2.0 is the Titmus choice as she prepares to defend her 200 and 400m freestyle Olympic crowns.
“The compression of Speedo’s LZR Valor 2.0 is noticeable in all the right areas, allowing me to feel powerful and glide through the water with ease. I am so excited to compete in it on the biggest stage,” said Titmus.
For the Games, exclusive Aussie versions of the suits have been created, featuring graphics that will form a common thread across uniforms worn by all Australian athletes competing in Paris.
For Olympic athletes, uniforms feature boxer and Beijing Olympian, Paul Fleming’s ‘Walking Together’ design, which depicts the Games as a central meeting point, bringing people from different nations, backgrounds, and experiences together.
AT HOME ON THE CATWALK: Tommy Neill loving the Speedo launch. Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan (Speedo)
Paralympic athletes will wear a design titled ‘The Journey’ by artist Rheanna Lotter. It features eight circles to represent Australia’s eight States and Territories, each of them different to reflect the diversity of the nation’s people and athletes. The circles are linked by tracks to show the iterconnectedness of athletes, while ad hoc boomerangs feature in the print to highlight the barriers and setbacks that are faced and overcome throughout the process.
Graham Eyres, General Manager of Speedo Australia said: “”Speedo and Australia just go together, and we’re excited to unveil our new range that not only showcases the iconic green and gold, but also tells the story of our country, its people and our shared journey.
“It’s a collection that all Australians can be proud to wear, from those who are showing their Aussie pride in their local pool, to the chosen few on whose shoulders the hopes of our nation rest.
“Combining these stunning designs with our pioneering swimwear technology means that Aussie athletes across aquatics disciplines will not only look the part but will benefit from the most advanced swimwear available anywhere. With the best swimwear, and the backing of the best supporters in the world, we know that Aussie stars are ready to make a splash in Paris.”
LAUNCH PAD: Emma McKeon with the latest LZR suit for her Paris assault. Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan (Speedo)
SMILE SAYS IT ALL: Triple Paralympian Ahmed Kelly. Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan (Speedo)
ALL IN HER STRIDE: Riding distance star Lani Pallister strides out at today’s Speedo launch in Brisbane. Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan (Speedo)
GOING THE DISTANCE: Sam Short, the 2023 World Champion in the 400m freestyle. Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan (Speedo)
YOUNG GUN: Flynn Southam out to make a name for himself at the Trials in June. Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan (Speedo)
🤙🏼💚💛🇦🇺 Smashing! Brilliant! Got my vote💪