Lycra brand owner Invista sponsored the Female Swimmer of the Year award at the Splash Awards held in Manchester, UK, on October 24.

The award was given to Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington, who won gold in the 400 metre and 800 metre freestyle events at this year’s Beijing Olympics.

The Splash Awards were created four years ago in support of the Swimming Trust and British Olympic Foundation to honour athletes who excel in the sport and, with the British Olympic Swimming Team collecting a total of six medals at this summer’s Olympics, there was a lot to celebrate. Paralympic gold medalist Eleanor Simmonds, former silver medallist diver and now BBC commentator Leon Taylor and freestyle medallist Karen Pickering MBE attended the awards, among other high-profile swimmers.

UK marketing manager for Invista, Michele Duncan, said, “Lycra fibre plays a valuable role within swimwear – both for professional and amateur swimmers – as it offers a winning blend of comfort, shape and fit. We are honoured to sponsor the competitive category of Female Swimmer of the Year – and very proud to help Rebecca celebrate her well deserved title.”

For many years Lycra fibre has been an integral part of swimwear and Invista has recently added innovations to its portfolio by launching the new Xtra Life Lycra fibre which helps prolong the lifespan of swimming costumes. It helps swimwear resist ‘bag and sag’, offering recovery and stretch benefits, and is also chlorine resistant.