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Olympic gold medalist Simone Manuel has announced she is signing an apparel deal with TYR Sport. The deal is her first since she turned professional after her final NCAA championships in March.
Manuel arrived at her press conference at the Phillips 66 National Championships in TYR apparel, and she announced the signing moments later.
“A lot went into my decision,” Manuel said. “I really wanted to choose a company that was in line with some of the missiosn that I have as a professional swimmer in and out of the pool, and TYR really supported me in that. I just know it was the best decision for me.”
Manuel joins an extensive roster of American swimmers who have signed with TYR, including Stanford training partners Katie Ledecky and Lia Neal.
Manuel made headlines in August 2016 when she became the first African-American woman to win an Olympic gold medal. That summer she and Canadian teenager Penny Oleksiak upset the Australian favorite, Cate Campbell, in a stunning tie for first in the 100 free, while Campbell faded to fifth in the finals.
Manuel’s success on the international stage continued into the summer of 2017 when she once again upset the contending favorite in the 100 free–this time an unexpecting Sarah Sjostrom.
She holds two golds and two silvers to her name from the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, as well as seven gold medals and two bronze medals from both the 2015 and 2017 long course World Championships.
The Stanford graduate had a very successful collegiate career that included winning two NCAA Championships, plus six individual NCAA titles in the sprint free events.
Official TYR Press Release
TYR Sport is proud to announce the signing of 4x Olympic Medalist, 9x World Championship Medalist & World & American Record Holder Simone Manuel.
“My identity as a citizen, a Black Woman, an athlete and as a creative who wants to use her platform to effect positive change is multi-faceted, and a partnership with TYR represents all of those elements,” stated Simone. “Both TYR and I share a passion for winning and a common vision for growing the sport of swimming by connecting with people and encouraging them to dream beyond traditional assumptions. I am so thrilled to partner with them.”
“Simone Manuel is a force to be reckoned with, both in and out of the water,” began Matt DiLorenzo, Chief Executive Officer of TYR Sport. “Watching her become one of the world’s most groundbreaking names in the sport of swimming has been nothing short of inspiring. As a brand, we could not be more proud to welcome Simone to our growing family of TYR sponsored athletes. We are confident that in working together we will create products that not only take performance to the next level, but ultimately continue to change the course of history.”
At just twenty years old sprint specialist Simone Manuel turned heads at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she earned gold medals in both the 100m freestyle and the 4x100m medley. Her impressive finish in the 100m solidified Simone as the first African-American woman to win an individual Olympic gold in swimming. During this performance she also set a new Olympic and American record. In addition, Simone won two silver medals for her swims in both the 50m freestyle and the 4x100m freestyle relay. As a former Stanford University athlete she holds three world records for her relay team participation and is a six-time individual NCAA Champion.
Simone’s partnership with TYR marks the first time an inclusion rider has been integrated into an athlete sponsorship agreement. Through this stipulation Simone ensures that her partners extend meaningful opportunities to traditionally underrepresented groups and that diversity be reflected in the creative efforts she pursues with the brand. TYR believes in the importance of diversity in the workplace and is proud to support Simone in her efforts to champion inclusion as both a best practice in business and a central tenet of her identity as a professional athlete.
Since its inception three decades ago, TYR Sport has grown to exist as one of the world’s most recognizable swimming and triathlon brands. Founded in Huntington Beach, California, the American company has garnered industry success for major technologies including the celebrated Avictor technical suit. Today, TYR has become synonymous with the most groundbreaking athletes in swimming and continues to be the choice of champions.
As a member of team TYR, Simone will join sponsored swimmers including Olympic Medalists Katie Ledecky, Ryan Lochte, Dana Vollmer, Matt Grevers, Cody Miller, Leah Smith, Lia Neal, Tom Shields and Kelsi Dahlia, as well as Olympians Jacob Pebley and Molly Hannis.
About TYR
Named for TYR, the Norse god of warriors, our company is committed to cultivating a culture of greatness, both in and out of the water. Through vision and American ingenuity, we have become a brand synonymous with the athlete. From the planning stages to the production floor, everything we do revolves around synthesizing creativity, experience and competition. For us, engineering the most advanced performance products is more than just a goal, it’s a requirement.
Xoxoxo
About time. Congrats Simone you deserve that and more.
About time. Congrats Simone you deserve that and more.
Yes, she deserves it.
Congratulations