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2008 - A Fantastic Year For Speedo!
What a year! 2008 marked the 80th anniversary of the iconic swimwear brand and what better way to celebrate than a year filled with exciting events, including the launch of a record-breaking revolutionary swimsuit at the most watched Olympics of all times.
The world’s fastest ever swimsuit
The year kicked off in February, with one of the major highlights of Speedo’s 80-year history - the launch of Speedo Fastskin LZR RACER. Speedo redefined performance swimwear, creating the fastest and most technologically advanced swimsuit ever. The suit was launched simultaneously in four cities around the globe and, thanks to cutting-edge hologram technology, the world’s most celebrated swimmer Michael Phelps was able to attend each of the launch events. Over the year, the Speedo LZR Racer suit has made a huge splash with a total of 79 world records broken by athletes in the suit.
80th birthday celebrations
Celebrating its 80th birthday in spectacular style at the ninth FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Manchester, Speedo showcased its rich and diverse history in The Evolution of Swimwear - An Exhibition. The impressive display explored the relationship between swimwear and the liberation of women, fashion and its influence on swimming attire, the emergence of Speedo as a global brand and the brand’s pioneering technological advances in swimwear.
At the Championships, a total of 132 medals were won and 17 world records broken by swimmers wearing the new Speedo LZR RACER swimsuit. A great first outing for the ground-breaking suit, but more was still to come.
The largest sporting event of all time - Beijing
At the biggest Olympics on record, Beijing saw 94% of gold medals won by athletes wearing the Speedo LZR RACER, whilst a staggering 23 world records out of 25 were set by athletes in the suit. Speedo golden boy, Michael Phelps, secured a place in the history books and the hearts of the public worldwide by winning eight Olympic gold medals.
Corporate Social Responsibility
In April, Speedo teamed up with World Swim Against Malaria and helped to provide over 409,000 mosquito nets for families most at risk from the disease through exclusive products and fund-raising activities. Speedo’s call-to-action also featured stunning Supermodel Alex Wek who helped drive over 300,000 people worldwide to engage in the activity.
Out of the pool, Speedo helped to offset its own carbon footprint this year by reducing approximately 434 tons of PVC and plastic from its goggle packaging and received a nomination for the prestigious UK Green Awards. Speedo also maximised the use of eco friendly material Sorona in its performance ranges for the first time.
Speedo goes to the North Pole
In September, Speedo-sponsored explorer and environmentalist Lewis Pugh completed his kayak journey to the North Pole to raise awareness of global warming. Not only did this expedition cause a stir for a great cause, but Pugh rewrote history by kayaking further north than anyone else before him.
An end to an amazing career
Double 2008 Olympic medallist and Speedo-sponsored Grant Hackett announced his retirement from competitive swimming at the Australia’s Swimmer of the Year Awards 2008 in October. Over a hugely successful swimming career, Hackett has become renowned as a fierce competitor whilst still remaining a poolside favourite. With 10 world titles and three Olympic gold medals under his belt, the Speedo athlete has cast a formidable shadow over long-distance swimming, and in particular the 1500 metres, for over 10 years.
Speedo receives worldwide recognition
Towards the end of 2008, as the award season began, Speedo and its sponsored athletes took centre stage. Speedo LZR Racer was honoured by Time Magazine for ‘Top 50 Best Innovations in 2008’, US Advertising Age for ‘Top Marketing Stories of the Year 2008’ and UK Observer Sports Monthly for ‘Best Innovation in 2008’.
Speedo-sponsored athletes including Michael Phelps, Natalie Coughlin, Stephanie Rice and David Davies were given national acclaim for their amazing achievements throughout the year in glamorous local athlete award ceremonies.
Looking ahead to 2009
2008 has truly been Speedo’s year, filled with unbelievable achievements in innovation, athlete success stories and industry-recognised Corporate Responsibility activity. The excitement doesn’t stop here. With World Championships in Rome and more fantastic and cutting-edge products in development, 2009 already looks to be every bit as electrifying as 2008.
News
26 Aug 10
Red or Dead Swimwear at MODA
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26 Aug 10
Speedo’s first Triathlete signing wins the London Triathlon!
Speedo off to Winning Tri Start Read more
19 Aug 10
Lacoste Launches UK & German Online Stores
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19 Aug 10
Berghaus ‘Winning The War On The Floor’ on the UK High Street
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30 Jul 10
Pentland Continues Its support For Children & The Arts Through START Programme
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19 Jul 10
Kickers Pirate Boot Camp!
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25 May 10
SPEEDO SPONSORED LEWIS GORDON PUGH COMPLETES FIRST SWIM ON MOUNT EVEREST
Congratulations to Lewis Gordon Pugh..he did it! Read more
07 May 10
Phelps Joins Speedo’s Efforts In World Swim Against Malaria
World Swim Against Malaria 2010 Read more
26 Apr 10
James Ketchell Successfully Rows the Atlantic Solo
James Ketchell Successfully Rows the Atlantic Solo Read more
03 Mar 10
Atlantic Rower - 1500nm to go to Antigua!!
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25 Feb 10
Atlantic Rower nearly 1000nautical miles in - 1700 to go!
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22 Feb 10
Leading female climber sets off for trip of a lifetime
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04 Feb 10
NSPCC Atlantic Rower in his boat Speedo - 502 miles rowed - 2125 to go!
James Ketchell - Atlantic Update Read more
18 Jan 10
Kickers Win Award for Online Advertising Campaign
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13 Jan 10
Solo Atlantic rower in his boat Speedo!
James Ketchell - Will be Solo Rowing the Atlantic in his Boat Named Speedo Read more
21 Dec 09
Mitre team Club Banfield of Argentina are Champions
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01 Dec 09
Berghaus Athlete wins Fearless Woman of the Year award
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25 Nov 09
The New Generation
Speedo Launches its most Comprehensive Range of Performance Swimwear Read more
05 Nov 09
Berghaus help 4000 mile walker
Ed Stafford Attemps to walk the Length of the Amazon Read more
23 Oct 09
Mitre Boosts intosport.com's Netball Academy
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21 Oct 09
Mark Schwarzer Joins Mitre
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13 Oct 09
Living the brand! – Climbing Mont Blanc with Sir Chris Bonnington
Living the brand! Read more
24 Sep 09
How Do You Rock Your ROOS?
How Do You Rock Your ROOS? Read more
15 Sep 09
Leo Houlding And Team Successfully Summit Mount Asgard
Leo Houlding And Team Successfully Summit Mount Asgard Read more
14 Sep 09
KangaROOS launches Back To School with Quick Response (QR) codes
KangaROOS are going back to school and making things much more interesting... Read more
14 Sep 09
Man’s Best Friend
Britain’s original and iconic men’s magazine “LOADED” have invited eight top designers to make ... Read more
14 Sep 09
Speedo® Extends Partnership With Michael Phelps Through 2013.
14-Time Olympic Gold Medalist and Speedo Share Common Goal to Grow the Sport of Swimming. Read more
18 May 09
Ellesse launches in the Benelux
Ellesse continue its global expansion with the brand now launching in Benelux. Read more
18 May 09
Leo Houlding announces the start of the Asgard Project
Berghaus sponsored athlete Leo Houlding has announced an expedition to climb Mount Asgard... Read more
18 May 09
Ellesse Unveils Tennis Art Collaborations
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18 May 09
Kickers Presents Random Bandits
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18 May 09
Mitre Tops the Chile League
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31 Mar 09
Brasher take the top spot!
Walk magazine, the leading official magazine of the Ramblers offers news... Read more
31 Mar 09
Mitre Mission in Kenya
Mitre with its Italian partner is supporting the Italian Charity Organisation, IPSIA... Read more
31 Mar 09
Speedo and British Swimming Announce Record Breaking Partnership
11th March 2009, Speedo announced that its partnership with British Swimming wil Read more
12 Feb 09
El Salvador Sign Mitre as Their Twelfth Man
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12 Feb 09
Lacoste Announces Sponsorship Of Australian Open Tennis Tournament
LACOSTE, the French brand founded by the legendary tennis champion Rene Lacoste... Read more
03 Feb 09
Lacoste Unveils Zaha Hadid Footwear
LACOSTE launches a very special footwear capsule collection for this Spring... Read more
03 Feb 09
Berghaus Walks Into Hong Kong
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03 Feb 09
Making Light Work of Trekking
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03 Feb 09
20 Boxfresh Tees for 20 Years
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03 Feb 09
Boxfresh Launch Collaboration With Global Underground
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03 Feb 09
Berghaus Supports Prince Harry
Berghaus has joined Prince Harry in pledging its support for a project that unites... Read more
03 Feb 09
Happy Feet
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03 Feb 09
2008 – A Fantastic Year For Speedo!
What a year! 2008 marked the 80th anniversary of the iconic swimwear brand... Read more
03 Feb 09
British Swimming Hero Rebecca Adlington Joins Team Speedo
Double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington was today announced as the latest athlete... Read more
03 Feb 09
Venturi Netball For Co-operative Superleague
Mitre Venturi netball was unveiled recently at the start of the UK’s new domestic season... Read more
03 Feb 09
A Feel Good Production
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03 Feb 09
Ellesse Celebrates & Creates Tennis Art
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03 Feb 09
Kangaroos Signs Exclusive Partnership With Walter Payton Foundation
KangaROOS partners with the Walter Payton Foundation in a momentous deal. Read more
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