Over the years St. Louis has produced its share of home-grown Olympians: Shannon Vreeland (swimming), Becky Sauerbrunn (soccer), and East St. Louis star Jackie Joyner-Kersee (track and field). This year, our city’s connection to the Rio Games is notable, in part, for the swimsuits that will be worn by the U.S. synchronized swimming team.
The team’s swimsuits were designed by Andrea Robertson, a St. Louis resident and the CEO and founder of Triflare.
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“When [athletes] feel good in their apparel, they perform their very best,” says Robertson, who founded the company in 2012 with the triathlete in mind. A year later, when her designs were noticed by the executive director of U.S.A. Swimming, Robertson expanded her line to include swimsuits for synchronized swimmers.
The unveiling of the Olympic team’s swimsuits took place on Sunday, August 14, when the women’s duet competition began.
“Olympic suits are made with the least amount of fabric so that the girls can move in the water while being noticeable to the judges,” says Robertson. In addition to stylish prints and bright colors, the designer’s creations hold up to the rigors of the sport.
