Former Olympic swimming champion Penny Heyns and former Springbok legend Bryan Habana have teamed up to enhance the marketability of all aquatic athletes ahead of next year's Tokyo Olympics.

The pair will work together by giving athletes a platform to further their brands via the MatchKit.co mobile web app.

Heyns stated that this partnership will give aquatics athletes a needed boost after the effects of the global pandemic on the industry.

"I'm excited about the prospect to work with Bryan's team. The platform is giving athletes an amazing opportunity to grow their brands and I have no doubt our aquatic athletes will benefit from it," she said.

"Some of the world's, and indeed South Africa's, greatest Olympic athletes come from the sport of swimming. While these athletes may enjoy icon status within the aquatics world with a huge social media following, they are still from a Cinderella sport with few enjoying the exposure and sponsorship opportunities deserving of their sporting performances."

Heyns stressed the importance of growing one's own personal brand given the current 'new normal'.

"Now more than ever, it is important for aquatic athletes to consider the development of their personal brand for the longevity of their career, beyond the pool. As a former Olympic Champion, I can firmly attest the fact that although building your profile as an international athlete is important, the true value will be evident as you pursue your post-pool career," she said .

In the four months since launching MatchKit.co, it has already been awarded a bronze for Most Innovative App Developed by an Agency at last month's New Generation Awards.

Habana's team launched MatchKit.co and have already attracted international sporting icons such as JP Duminy, Thembi Kgatlana, Brandon Stone and Henri Schoeman.

"MatchKit is making a habit of working with the best in the world and we are buoyed to have Penny's support in growing our global network of athletes. She is still the only woman in Olympic history to have achieved the breaststroke double Olympic gold feat (100m and 200m)," Habana concluded.

- Compiled by Sport24 staff