Speedo Hopes Ryan Murphy Becomes Face Of Swimming Heading Into '20 Tokyo Games

Speedo has signed a sponsorship deal with Gold Medal-winning swimmer Ryan Murphy, the latest sign he will be "America's leading man in the long run-up" to the '20 Tokyo Games, according to Pat Forde of YAHOO SPORTS. Murphy, who won three Gold Medals last summer at the Rio Games, is "now ready for his star turn" after turning pro earlier this month. Speedo President John Graham Jr. said, "We do see him as someone over the course of the next couple years being the face of swimming. He can be that person." Forde notes Murphy is a "low-risk guy away from the pool," a different characteristic than the "two dominant pitchmen in the sport" since '04 -- Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte. Graham said, "You're not going to have to worry too much about him" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/21).