WORLD CHAMPION OPEN WATER SWIMMER KERI-ANNE PAYNE JOINS TEAM SPEEDO

27.10.2010

10km Open Water Olympic Silver medallist and 2009 World Champion, Keri-Anne Payne, has become the latest addition to Speedo’s roster of world-class sponsored athletes. Keri-Anne joins Team Speedo, which includes Michael Phelps, Rebecca Adlington and Filippo Magnini, on the road to 2012.

The three year deal will see Keri-Anne compete in Speedo swimwear until 2013, with Speedo’s Aqualab team also set to work with the swimmer to continue its development of open-water swimming specific products.

23-year-old Keri-Anne made her first senior team start at the age of just 15 at the end of 2003 in the World Short Course Championships in Vienna where she won the 400m freestyle. In 2006 she set a new junior world record for the 400m freestyle at the World Student Games. The same year, at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, she came 4th and 5th in the 400m and 800m freestyle respectively, following which she made the decision to switch to Medley and open water events. The 2007 World Championships in Melbourne saw her come 11th in her first open water 10k swim and this auspicious start provided a glimpse of future success.

David Robinson, President of Speedo International, welcomed the signing of Keri-Anne, saying:

“Keri-Anne Payne is an exceptional ambassador for swimming, and we’re delighted that she has joined the Speedo team. She will also provide invaluable assistance to our Aqualab research and development team as we look to extend our focus on open water swimming. We are proud to be supporting her in her quest for continued success.”

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