Women's 1964 Australian Olympic diving swimsuit
Maker
Speedo International Ltd
Date1964
Object number00019035
NameSwimsuit
MediumBri-nylon, cotton
DimensionsOverall: 700 x 340 mm, 0.09 kg
Clothing size: 36
Clothing size: 36
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Speedo International Ltd
DescriptionThe Australian diving team's swimsuits for the Tokyo Olympics were solid gold in colour and made from double thickness nylon. This gave support and freedom of movement for divers performing feats of strength and agility in the air, and protection upon entry into the water.
The trunks were produced in Australia by Speedo, and feature a quarter skirt, contour back and thick straps. They have a yellow gauze gusset and yellow cotton seams, and on the centre chest is a machine embroidered Australian fabric shield.HistoryIn 1955 Speedo introduced nylon into its competitive swimwear designs, and the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne saw the widespread use of the new fabric. The Australian swimming team first wore the Prestige Nylon Tricot fabric at the Rome Olympic Games in 1960.
From 1957 the half skirt was replaced with the quarter skirt, and the introduction of the panel at the front gave more shape to the body and a better fit. By 1972 the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) allowed women to swim skirtless, though it was not until the 1976 Montreal Games that the Australian team design followed this trend.
SignificanceThough not actually worn during the Tokyo Olympics, the swimsuit demonstrates the designs and technologies incorporated into Speedo's Olympic uniforms.