Industry News: Speedo Signs Christine Magnuson, Dana Vollmer to Team of Elite Athletes

LOS ANGELES, California, April 14. SPEEDO, the division of Warnaco Swimwear, Inc., today announced that 24-year-old swim star Christine Magnuson has signed with the brand through 2012.

One of the top female butterfly swimmers in the world, Magnuson won silver in the 100m fly at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Magnuson also represented the U.S. at the 2009 World Championships in Rome where she competed in the 100m fly and 400m free and medley relays.

A standout at the University of Tennessee, Magnuson burst onto the scene by winning the 2008 NCAA National Championship in the 100-yard fly. She then went on to win the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100-meter butterfly in Olympic Trials meet record time. In addition to her individual silver in the 100m fly in Beijing, Magnuson helped the U.S. women's medley relay team win silver at her first-ever Olympic Games.

"I'm very excited to join Team Speedo," said Magnuson. "I look forward to working with the brand as I look ahead to London 2012 and I appreciate Speedo's support both in and out of the pool."

"Christine is one of the top female butterfliers in the world and we are very pleased to welcome her to Team Speedo," said Helen McCluskey, President, Warnaco Swimwear Group. "As Speedo develops new and innovative product, we look forward to Christine's feedback as part of our athlete advisory team."

A captain of the Tennessee Volunteers women's swim team, Magnuson helped elevate the team to a top-10 squad and left the Lady Vol's as one of the most illustrious swimmers in school history. In her collegiate career, Magnuson earned 23 All-American honors while being named the 2008 SEC Women's Swimmer of the Year and posting eight school records – as well as earning SEC All-Academic honors and the honor of 2008 SEC Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year.

An Illinois native and daughter of a swim coach, Magnuson currently trains in Arizona at Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics under coaches Frank Busch and Dan Colella; she is represented by David Arluck of Arluck Promotions.

Also signing with Speedo is 22-year-old swim star Dana Vollmer has signed with the brand through 2012. Vollmer is off to a fast start in 2010, most recently competing at the Austin Grand Prix where she raced in the new SPEEDO LZR Racer Elite suit and took home four titles, finishing first in the 100m free, 100 fly, 200m free and 200m fly. Vollmer's 54.30 in the 100m free at that meet is second-fastest time in the world.

A collegiate swim star at the University of California, Berkeley, Vollmer made history last year by claiming four NCAA titles – including individual titles in the 100y and 200y free – and helping lead the Bears to Cal's first-ever NCAA team championship. Vollmer finished her senior season as the NCAA Swimmer of the Year and a Honda Sports Award winner. That same year, Vollmer won the 100m free and 200m free at U.S. Nationals; at the 13th FINA World Championships in Rome, she won silver in the 800m free relay and bronze in the 200m freestyle.

"Ever since I was a young swimmer, I envisioned myself as part of the Speedo family," said Vollmer. "I am proud to join Team Speedo as I embark on my professional swim career."

"We are very pleased to welcome Dana to Team Speedo," said Helen McCluskey, President, Warnaco Swimwear Group. "Watching her compete at the NCAA Championships, U.S. Nationals and the 2009 World Championships, it is quite clear that she has a very bright future in the sport."

A member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team at only 16-years-old, Vollmer won gold as part of the women's World Record-setting 800m free relay team in Athens. A key member of the U.S. women's squad, Vollmer has won six relay medals on the world stage, including gold in the 800m free relay and silver in the 400m free and 400m medley relays at the 2007 World Championships and gold in the 800m free relay at the 2006 Pan Pacific Championships.

The Texas native continues to train in Berkeley at California Aquatics under long-time coaches Teri McKeever and Ron Forrest. Vollmer is represented by Lindsay Kagawa and Marissa Nilon of the Wasserman Media Group.

Team Speedo swimmers include Olympic Medalists Michael Phelps (USA), Natalie Coughlin (USA), Ryan Lochte (USA), Katie Hoff (USA), Eamon Sullivan (AUS), Park Tae Hwan (KOR), Rebecca Adlington (GBR) and Peter Vanderkaay (USA).

SPEEDO is a registered trademark of and used under license from Speedo International Ltd. Warnaco Swimwear, Inc., a division of The Warnaco Group, Inc. (NYSE: WRC), is the authorized licensee of the SPEEDO trademark in North American and the Caribbean.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

Dana Vollmer places first in the prelims of the 100 freestyle at the 2009 USA Swimming Nationals/World Team Trials.

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