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Natalie Coughlin renews partnership with Speedo through 2013.

03/09/10

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - SPEEDO®, the division of Warnaco Swimwear, Inc., announced the extension of its long-time partnership with 11-time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin through 2013.  Coughlin, the most decorated female swimmer in Athens and Beijing, has worn SPEEDO® swimwear her entire career and will continue to represent the brand as she looks ahead to London.  After an 18-month break from swimming following the Beijing Games – which included a Hollywood star-making turn on ABC’s hit show “Dancing with the Stars” – Coughlin returned to competition at the Austin Grand Prix, March 4-6, where she raced in the new SPEEDO®LZR Racer Elite Suit. 

A Team Speedo star since 2004, Coughlin is aiming to make her third Olympic team in 2012 where she would have the opportunity to become the most decorated American female swimmer of all time – with 11 Olympic medals earned in two Olympics, Coughlin is only one medal shy of Jenny Thompson’s record 12 medals (earned in four Olympics), the most in swimming history.  

A veteran on the U.S. team and a leader in the sport, the upcoming Austin Grand Prix marked Coughlin’s first meet back in the pool since her medal record-breaking performance at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, where she made history as the first U.S. female swimmer to win six medals at a single Olympics and the first woman to win back-to-back Olympic titles in her specialty, the 100m backstroke.

“Speedo’s support both in and out of the pool has helped me grow into the swimmer I am today,” said Coughlin.  “I have been a part of the Speedo family my entire professional career and I am proud to continue to represent the brand as I look ahead to London.”

“Natalie is not only one of the most decorated swimmers of all time, but she is a truly great ambassador for the sport of swimming,” said Helen McCluskey, President, Warnaco Swimwear Group. 

An extremely versatile swimmer, Coughlin has won a medal in every single Olympic event she’s ever entered and left both the 2008 and 2004 Olympic Games as the most decorated female athlete with six and five medals respectively.  She won gold in the 100m backstroke, silver in the 400m free relay, 800m free relay and 400m medley relay, and bronze in the 100m freestyle and 200m IM in Beijing.  At the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Coughlin won five medals, then a new record, including gold in the 100m backstroke and the 800m free relay, silver in the 400m free relay and 400m medley relay, and bronze in the 100m free.  She also left the 2007 World Championships as the most decorated female swimmer in World Championship history.

Outside of the pool, Coughlin’s commitment to a natural lifestyle and green living is furthered by her passions of surfing, cooking, health & fitness and photography. 

The Bay-Area native continues to train at California Aquatics under long-time Speedo coach Teri McKeever. 

Coughlin is represented by Janey Miller of Octagon.

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

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. 

ABOUT SPEEDO®

Born on Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia in 1928, SPEEDO® is the world's top-selling swimwear brand. The brand's heritage derives from its leadership in competitive swimming, where more Olympic Gold Medals have been won in Speedo than any other brand.  World Champion Michael Phelps is among the elite athletes wearing SPEEDO; Phelps wore Speedo as he made history in Beijing, winning eight gold medals and rewriting the record books. Building on its authentic base, the SPEEDO® product line has expanded over the years. It now includes women's fashion and fitness swimwear, men's water shorts, kid's swimwear, footwear, and a comprehensive collection of aquatic and fitness equipment. For more information visit, www.SpeedoUSA.com.

ABOUT WARNACO

The Warnaco Group, Inc., headquartered in New York, is a leading apparel company engaged in the business of designing, sourcing, marketing and selling intimate apparel, menswear, jeanswear, swimwear, men’s and women’s sportswear and accessories under such owned and licensed brands as Warner’s®, Olga® and Speedo®, as well as Chaps® sportswear and denim, and Calvin Klein® men’s and women’s underwear, men’s and women’s bridge apparel and accessories, men’s and women’s jeans and jeans accessories, junior women’s and children’s jeans and men’s and women’s swimwear.