COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Triathlon is pleased to announce that Speedo USA has signed on as a corporate partner and will be designated the Official and Exclusive Swimwear and Gear Supplier of USAT.

Speedo, a leading manufacturer and distributor of swimming apparel and accessories, will also sponsor USA Triathlon National Teams, USAT-owned Championship races, select Grand Prix events, and the new Haul to the Great Wall Triathlon Series.

As part of the agreement, Speedo will provide apparel and gear to the USA Triathlon National Team, Resident Team, Team USA, U23 Team, Junior Team, USAT Staff and USAT Coaches. This includes the donation of 6,000 USAT-branded swim caps to be distributed at USAT-owned events and another 20,000 caps at various series events.

"USAT is proud to have a relationship with Speedo," said USAT Executive Director Skip Gilbert. "As we have seen through their involvement with USA Swimming, Speedo's commitment to the athlete, to the competition and to driving programs to help grow the sport is unmatched. USAT looks forward to building a beneficial relationship with Speedo and developing programs to help fuel the multi-sport lifestyle."

USAT National Team members Andy Potts, Sarah Haskins, and Sara McLarty are members of Team Speedo, a group of triathletes in a research and development partnership with the Speedo Aqualab to develop the fastest tri-suits in the world. "Speedo has helped me perform at the top of my game for years," said Potts. "By partnering with USA Triathlon, Speedo will be able to further its technical advances."

USAT annual members will receive a discount on product purchased from speedousa.com (using a coupon code) and from designated Speedo triathlon accounts which participate in a forthcoming Speedo/USAT merchandise partnership. Speedo will also establish a discount program on team apparel, training gear, and competition apparel for all USAT member clubs.

"Following the expansion of Speedo's triathlon and multi-sport line, it seemed only natural that the brand should expand its partnership with USA Triathlon," said Sheree Waterson, President Speedo North America. "The USA Triathlon platform allows Speedo to support the sport while connecting with our consumers on a local and national level."

Speedo had earlier agreed to provide up to $40,000 in bonuses for USAT's Haul to the Great Wall series of races. The swimwear and sports apparel giant is providing $5,000 in bonus money for each race on the five-city 2006 tour. American men and women who finish in the top-three in their respective races are eligible for the bonuses, with $1,500 going to the top finisher, $750 to second, and $250 to third.

In addition to the individual race bonus pool, Speedo is providing a $15,000 end-of-the-season bonus to be split if U.S. athletes finish first or second in the Series. First place will receive $5,000 and second place will take home $2,500 in both the men's and women's categories.

More information on the Haul to the Great Wall can be found at: http://www.usatriathlon.org/HaulToGreatWall.htm

USA Triathlon is the national governing body for triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and winter triathlon in the United States. USAT sanctions 1,800 races and connects with more than 70,000 members each year, making it the largest multi-sport organization in the world.

Please visit USA Triathlon's web site at www.usatriathlon.org.

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. Eight-time Olympic Medalist Michael Phelps is among the elite swimmers who wear SPEEDO Fastskinä technology. Building on its authentic base, the SPEEDO product line has dramatically expanded over the years. It now includes women's fashion and fitness swimwear, men's water shorts, kid's swimwear, active wear, footwear, and a comprehensive collection of aquatic and fitness equipment. For more information visit, www.SpeedoUSA.com.