Decathlon Signs Jamal Hill, U.S. Ranked Number One Paralympic Swimmer, to Sponsorship

May 11, 2021

Sporting goods giant and inspirational athlete team up to make sports more accessible to everybody.

SAN FRANCISCO (May 11, 2021)— Decathlon, the world’s largest sporting goods retailer, today announced a partnership with Los Angeles-based paraswimmer, Jamal Hill, who is currently ranked number one in the U.S. Paralympic 100-meter freestyle and number six in the world. As a U.S. National Team member, Hill is competing at theU.S. Paralympic team trials for swimming in June for a spot at the 2021 Tokyo Summer Paralympics.

“A decathlon is a collection of races where the person with the best average of placements wins. No one battle decides the victor of the war, it’s a long game,” Hill said. “That’s why I’m so excited to join team Decathlon, because we have a vision of inspiring the world through sport one race, one year, one person at a time.”

Hill was just 10 years old when he was diagnosed with a hereditary neurological condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), which can result in progressive loss of muscle tissue and touch sensation in the body. Through force of will, faith and determination, Hill persevered to become one of the world’s best swimmers, regaining much of his mobility despite having little sensation in his legs.

Hill recently began an initiative called Swim Up Hill, which aims to help one million people learn to swim through private training, sponsors and a digital swim-school platform. Through the partnership, Decathlon will support Swim Up Hill by providing the program with access to top-of-the-line gear.

“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Decathlon, the biggest sporting goods brand in the world, to help make sports more accessible to everybody,” Hill said. “My mission with Swim Up Hill is to help one million people learn how to swim, and I think Decathlon will be an invaluable resource in moving us closer to that goal.”

“Decathlon is committed to making sure Jamal and Swim Up Hill are well-supported in their mission to reduce barriers to entry when it comes to swimming and water sports,” said Jaclyn Applegate, Sports Marketing Manager at Decathlon. “The Decathlon family worldwide looks forward to cheering Jamal on this summer as he swims for the podium in Tokyo!”

For more information on this partnership contact Will McQuilkin, wm@outsidepr.com.

About Decathlon

Decathlon, a leading company in the sports market, has two activities: the creation of sports products and its distribution of products online and in stores. Founded on the mission to make sports more accessible, Decathlon designs, innovates, produces and sells its own products for more than 80 sports. This vertical integration means that Decathlon is able to ensure the highest value at the best price point with the goal of increasing access to sports for people of all levels and ability.

Founded and headquartered in France and active abroad in 70 countries with more than 1,600 points of sale, the services, brands and store teams have been working since 1976 with a constant ambition: to innovate in all areas to remain the main playing partner of all sports lovers. Decathlon’s mountain brand, Quechua, is based in the Mont Blanc Valley near Chamonix. It’s here that Decathlon’s team designs and tests outdoor gear & equipment.

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