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Medal-winning Paralympians joined Olympic colleagues for the launch of Speedo’s aquatic sports uniforms for the Paris 2024 Paralympic and Olympic Games in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Will Martin, Ahmed Kelly, Keira Stephens and Katja Dedekind will compete in Paris wearing Speedo’s innovative competition racing and training suits.
The range is highlighted by Speedo’s Fastskin® LZR® Intent 2.0 and LZR Valor 2.0 swimsuits.
Developed by Speedo’s Aqualab® research and development facility, the new editions of the suits are engineered from Lamoral®️ Space Tech to offer improved hydrophobic qualities, allowing athletes to perform at their peak.
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 the company’s space-age origins.
Dedekind, a two-time Paralympian and three-time medallist, said the partnership between Speedo and athletes is highly regarded.
“They’re forever trying to enhance their technology so athletes can perform at their best,” Dedekind said.
“They listen and they’re open to change about their products. They’re happy to adapt to what their athletes or customers are wanting.
“The designs they come up with really speaks for the team, our values, and our Mob – we’re not just a swim team but a family and the design really highlights that.”
Paralympic swimmers will wear a design titled ‘The Journey’ by Yuin woman and 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 interconnectedness of athletes, while ad hoc boomerangs highlight the barriers and setbacks that are faced and overcome throughout the process of reaching the Games.
Australian Paralympic Team Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin said Speedo swimwear has a reputation for excellence and innovation.
“Ensuring our swimmers look and feel great in the water will be critical to creating an exceptional performance environment,” McLoughlin said.
“We’re excited by the designs and cannot wait to see our athletes not only wearing world class swimwear but also wearing ‘The Journey’, the story of our Australian Paralympic Team, when they dive in and go for gold at the Paris Games.”
Speedo Australia General Manager Graham Eyres said 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, aboriginal-inspired 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,” he said.
“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.”
By Natalie McGarry and Speedo
Published: 27 March 2024
