SwimOutlet.com and U.S. Masters Swimming unveiled their newest partnership video and contest on Thursday, featuring four-time gold medalist Jason Lezak swimming the anchor leg of a relay, and he and 2008 silver medalist Emily Silver making a “Gold Medal Delivery” to swimmers at the 2013 U.S. Masters Swimming Spring Nationals in Indianapolis.
The lighthearted piece features both swimmers returning to competitive waters for the first time since their Olympic days to take part in a mixed Masters relay at Spring Nationals. After chatting about their Masters experience and going up against the competition, the two relay champions finish the day by delivering a selection of USMS-branded product provided by SwimOutlet.com at the meet’s social event.
“We wanted to highlight the broad range of activities that are part of a Masters Nationals experience: swimming, competition, camaraderie, and social events for adult swimmers of all ages,” says Rob Butcher, USMS’s executive director. “Having Olympians Jason Lezak and Emily Silver swim alongside our Masters swimmers and make an appearance at our social generated some real feel-good moments over the weekend in Indy that we captured on camera.”
In addition to swimming the relay and the Gold Medal Delivery, Lezak will judge a special “Lezak Catchphrase/Internet Meme Contest,” taking place over the next three weeks through July 10, in which the winner with the best Lezak submission will win a $100 SwimOutlet.com gift card, a USMS-branded baseball cap, a two-year USMS membership, and other goodies.
Fans can enter the contest at swimoutlet.com/jason-lezak-memes
1.) Fans will watch the Gold Medal Delivery video and listen for Emily Silver’s use of a Lezak catchphrase in the piece.
2.) Fans then create and submit their own favorite Lezak Catchphrase Meme on the Gold Medal Delivery mini-site and follow along at #MastersGMD
3.) After the contest closes on July 10, Lezak will review the submissions and select his favorite as the winner.
“I had a blast at Masters nationals,” says Lezak. “It was great to be swimming that anchor leg in the mixed relay and I’m looking forward to judging the best Lezak catchphrase in July.”
“Combining the energy, vibe, and excitement of a U.S. Masters Nationals with the humor and fun of a Gold Medal Delivery from SwimOutlet has led to another great delivery,” says SwimOutlet.com CMO Alexander Sienkiewicz. “We also hope fans find the accompanying contest entertaining and enter to win a great selection of prizes.”
Lezak is legendary for his anchor swim in the 4 x 100-meter freestyle relay at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, in which he overtook French swimmer Alain Bernard after starting a full body length behind. Lezak touched Bernard out at the wall, swimming the fastest 100-meter split in history and setting the world record for the team by a whopping 4 seconds. The victory also helped catapult Michael Phelps to a record total of eight gold medals in Beijing; USA Today recently listed the race as the second-best moment in sports that had Americans cheering. Silver won a silver medal with the U.S. women in the 4 x 100-meter freestyle at the Beijing Games.
Under the Gold Medal Delivery, SwimOutlet.com will be giving teams across the nation a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet swimming stars and receive free product from SwimOutlet.com. These deliveries are documented on video and available at swimoutlet.com/goldmedaldelivery. The videos show the human side of swimming superstars and inspire impressionable young swimmers in a positive way. Athletes appearing in the GMD series, including Ryan Lochte, Matt Grevers and Tony Azevedo among others, have won more than 30 Olympic medals in total.
About SwimOutlet.com
SwimOutlet.com is the largest online specialty store for aquatics in the United States. The online retail store grew out of a dedication to providing the best goods and services to anyone interested in aquatic activities and sports. SwimOutlet.com has the largest selection for swimming, water polo, fashion, beach and surf! In addition to having an extensive selection and the lowest prices, SwimOutlet.com offers phenomenal customer service and fast shipping. The company has won the hearts of more than 2 million happy customers who’ve helped spread the word on where to find the best deals. It has quickly developed into the web’s most popular swim shop! For more information, visit swimoutlet.com, Facebook.com/swimoutlet, @swimoutlet
About U.S. Masters Swimming
U.S. Masters Swimming, founded in 1970, is a membership-operated national governing body that promotes health, wellness, fitness and competition for adults through swimming. It does so by partnering with more than 1,500 adult swim programs across the country; promoting information via the bimonthly member magazine, SWIMMER, monthly e-newsletters, STREAMLINES, and website, usms.org; and by sanctioning and promoting pool, open water, and virtual events and competitions. More than 58,000 adults are registered members of U.S. Masters Swimming
I am glad to see Lezak getting supported by corporations involved with swimming, along with USMS. Consider how much of Michael Phelps legacy is due to that one swim by Jason; the 8 gold medal performance is what took Phelps to the next level.