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Colour an historical link for swimmers

Australia's best swimmers are taking a piece of history to this year's Commonwealth Games.

Speedo yesterday revealed its swim team uniforms for the Glasgow games.

The team's training suits feature a distinctive green and gold camouflage pattern of maps and kangaroos.

Designer Gloria Mortimer worked with Speedo from the 1950s to 70s and inspired the latest collection.

Speedo creative development manager Tahnee McIlwraith said the swimsuits resembled costumes of past Australian champions.

"It is a real privilege to be designing for the Australian swim team and an opportunity to reference the historical designs Gloria created for athletes of the past," she said.

Mortimer designed the first printed suit for competition swimming.

She was renowned for her innovative use of colour and print.

The team's swimsuits have the latest technology for swimmers to gain maximum speed and performance in the water.

Ms McIlwraith said the new suit would not only help deliver world-class performance in the pool but also help swimmers stand out on the blocks.

"The introduction of the Speedo Fastskin LZR Racer Elite 2 builds on the huge success of its predecessor with technological advancements, together with vibrant new colours," she said.

Queensland swimmers Cameron McEvoy, Melanie Schlanger, Bronte Barratt and Brittany Elmslie are among the swimmers who will don the costumes when the Games start this month.