Given the twelve-month delay to the Olympic Games due to the pandemic, the commencement of Friday’s Games is much anticipated. One of the first major sporting events to take place in over a year (albeit behind closed doors), it is clear that the world needs the joy that accompanies international sport in 2021 more than ever.
Aside from the obvious anticipation that the Olympic Games brings, the team at Raymont-Osman have added cause for excitement, having played pivotal roles in the design and testing of a number of key pieces sporting equipment all set to make their mark on the world stage.
Here are the Ones to Watch – The Guide to Raymont-Osman in Tokyo 2021...
Speedo Fastskin Pure Focus Goggles
Raymont-Osman's Product Engineers and Designers helped Speedo to realise the Fastskin Pure Focus which were released back in March 2019 in preparation for these Olympics; they were also shortlisted for the Design Week Awards 2019.
The Aqualab team from Speedo travelled 350,000 miles over three years to test the suits and goggles, which Raymont-Osman helped realise, with 330 swimmers, including Caeleb Dressel (USA), Ryan Murphy (USA), Joseph Schooling (SGP), Emma McKeon (AUS), Mireia Belmonte Garcia (ESP) and Siobhan-Marie O’Connor (GBR), as well as club swimmers, masters swimmers and 10 world-leading coaches to ensure each iteration of the product was properly calibrated to best support elite and aspiring competitive swimmers.
Balancing aesthetic with performance, the goggle has 5% reduced drag compared to its predecessor, making it the fastest goggle in the Speedo range. Designed and developed in collaboration with elite athletes, the innovative three-material moulding provides the wearer with extended vision, hydrodynamic flow and an ergonomically sculpted seal to the face, all of which combine to provide world-class, medal winning, performance. The goggle also uses a novel method of Nosebridge connection, providing the athlete with a customizable fit which cannot come loose during use. This unique connection method has enabled Speedo to apply for intellectual property rights on the design. Re-profiled optics reduces distortion and increases lateral vision. Optical surfaces behave differently in air and water and these goggles have been refined to produce great vision in both environments.
So far these goggles have featured in World Records achieved by several elite athletes.
Where to see it in Tokyo 2021:
New Zealand Para-swimmer Sophie Frances Pascoe.
Events: Fly, Back, IM
Key achievements: 2019 4 x gold medals at the London World Para Swimming Championships; 2018 2 x gold medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games; 2016 Rio Olympics 3 x gold and 2 x silver
"I love the way the Pure Focus goggles make me look. Look great, swim fast!" - Sophie Frances Pascoe.
Team USA Swimmer, Caeleb Dressel.
Events: Fly, Free, IM
Key achievements: 2 x Olympic Gold Medallist; World Champion and World Record Holder
Speedo Fastskin LZR Pure Intent Racing Suit
Since the launch of Fastskin for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Speedo have continued to develop Fastskin products to help Team Speedo athletes and competitive swimmers to achieve their ambitions in the pool. By the Beijing Olympics in 2016, 94% of gold medals were won wearing Speedo Fastskin.
Raymont-Osman have played a pivotal role in the design process of the LZR Pure Intent Racing Suit: writing and formalising the specification, and conducting failure modes and effects analysis. We also completed computer-controlled materials testing and analysis of complex fabrics. Facilitating and participating in misuse panels, along with tracking and reducing highest risks through design and testing made up a complex FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis) process.
This latest model, LZR Pure Intent - launched in 2019 - has already seen some impressive results on the PB wall. Canadian Team Speedo’s Kylie Masse achieved the 4th fastest swim in history for the 100m Backstroke at the 2019 Canadian Swimming Trials, whilst New Zealand Paralympian Sophie Pascoe set new world records in her Fastskin LZR Pure Intent for the 50m Butterfly and 50m Freestyle.
Where to see it in Tokyo 2021:
Team USA including: Caeleb Dressel, Hali Flickinger, Jamal Hill, and Ryan Murphy.
“Now for my 100m free I rock the Intent because the extra compression keeps my legs reinforced throughout the race. The Intent feels like opening up a Ferrari on the track and pushing 200mph all while feeling strong and sturdy” Jamal Hill.
Team Australia have also launched their new swimming uniforms from Speedo, so check out a host of Australian athletes including Emma McKeon, Mack Horton, Melissa Wu and Hannah Buckling as they take to the pool this month.
Team GB – Just some of our hopefuls from home...
Freya Anderson: Speedo Fastskin Pure Focus Goggles
Events: 50m, 100m and 200m Freestyle
Key achievements: 2018 European 2 x Gold and 2 x Bronze Medallist; 2018 2 x Commonwealth Games Bronze Medallist; 2018 3 x European Junior Gold Medallist
Duncan Scott: Speedo Fastskin Pure Focus Goggles
Events: Free and IM
Key achievements: 100m freestyle gold medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games; 2018 Glasgow 3 x gold medals; The National Lottery Awards Athlete of the Year; 2016 Rio Olympic Games silver x 2 relay; 2015 and 2017 World Championships 4x200m freestyle relay golds
Ellie Simmonds: Speedo Fastskin Pure Focus Goggles & Speedo Fastskin LZR Pure Intent Racing Suit
Events: Free and IM
Key achievements: 8 medals across four events at three Games, including five golds - as well as no fewer than 17 medals at World Para Swimming Championships.
"I'm so happy when I put on my Intent to race, I know I'm in the best suit in the world" - Ellie Simmonds.
By no means an exhaustive list, these athletes represent a cross-section of the Olympic hopefuls competing in Raymont-Osman products this month. Good luck, Team Speedo!
The Tokyo Olympic Games kick off this Friday 23rd July 2021.