New York Times article:
* Endorsers’ Relationships Tested by Suit Swapping
“... The Speedo representative walked onto a pool deck in South Austin, Tex., a salesman there to try to lead two Nike athletes into temptation. He showed up at a Longhorn Aquatics practice last week with two bags containing an assortment of Speedo swimsuits, including the hotter-than-a-jalapeño LZR Racer, the uniform of choice for swimmers who have accounted for 36 of the 40 world records set this year.
Aaron Peirsol, a two-time Olympic backstroker and a four-time medalist, was summoned from the pool by his coach, Eddie Reese, to meet with the Speedo man. He picked out an LZR Racer and disappeared into the locker room to try it on. He was followed by the breaststroker Brendan Hansen, who won three medals at the 2004 Olympics.
....
In fact, the word on the pool deck was that Nike had given its athletes permission to wear another manufacturer’s suit if there was one more conducive to fast times than Nike’s Swift or Swift Amp’d.
“I respect them for saying that,” Peirsol said.
This open marriage between Nike and its swimwear endorsers came as news to Dean Stoyer, the company’s United States media relations director.
....
But Stoyer said swimmers under contract to Nike were expected to wear its swimwear at the Olympic trials and the Olympics.
“Speaking in general,” Stoyer said, “if you break the contract, we certainly would have to have a discussion.” ...”
* SWIMMERS’ ENDORSEMENT RELATIONSHIPS ARE TESTED BY SUIT SWAPPING