Friday, April 30, 2010
17-Time Olympic Champion Michael Phelps Joins in the
World Swim Against Malaria
Phelps joins Speedo’s efforts in World Swim Against Malaria
Renowned swimmer joins fundraising drive for prevention of deadly disease
The first of the Team Speedo international elite athletes to register and join Speedo in this year’s World Swim Against Malaria event is the swimming phenomenon Michael Phelps.
Phelps, the most successful Olympian of all time, will take to the water on June 25th as part of the world’s largest participatory swim event. Organised by the Against Malaria Foundation (AMF), the swim aims to attract up to a million participants, with every penny raised spent on the purchase and distribution of protective nets which prevent the spread of one of the world’s most deadly diseases in Africa and other affected regions.
Speedo has already announced their support to the cause by donating 35,000 items of men’s, women’s and children’s swimwear to those who participate in the swim.
By registering at www.worldswimagainstmalaria.com/speedo, swimmers can claim an item of swimwear for each $5(US) they donate, up to a maximum of four pieces, with only postage and packaging payable.
The world’s leading swimwear brand has supported World Swim Against Malaria since 2005, a period which has seen a total of more than $2 million raised and almost one million people protected from malaria. Speedo staff, family and friends are delighted to have themselves raised £93,943 in support of the cause, an amount which has seen 55,816 children protected against malaria.
With Speedo swimmers having so far covered a total distance of 13,059 kilometres, Speedo is this year aiming to recruit enough swimmers to swim 40,074 kilometres – the distance around the world – an effort which will be bolstered by the participation of Speedo sponsored athletes, including the phenomenal Phelps.
Announcing his support for the cause, Michael Phelps said: “I’m honoured to join Speedo in an effort to organise a swim around the world in support of Swim Against Malaria and help stop the spread of this deadly disease. I hope that we encourage as many people as possible to join Team Speedo on June 25th to complete the round the world swim for this great cause.”
To find out more information about World Swim Against Malaria and how to get involved visit the website: www.worldswimagainstmalaria.com/speedo.
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