AirAsia is pleased to announce its partnership with British Olympic swimmer Ben Proud.

The four-year tie-up will see AirAsia sponsor Proud as he works towards qualifying for his second Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan in 2020.

As part of the deal, he will host an annual Talent Pool coaching clinic for up-and-coming competitive swimmers in Asean, which kicked off earlier today in Putrajaya.

The Malaysia leg of the clinic, supported by the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM), saw 30 club swimmers aged 12 to 15 take part in an intensive one-day session at Marina Putrajaya Indoor Pool. It was conducted by Proud and AquaElite coaches Antony James, a former Olympian, who will be joined in subsequent clinics around Asean by Commonwealth Games finalist Steven Beckerleg.

AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes said, "Asean has an abundance of talent, but we don't always develop that to the fullest. I hope that with Talent Pool, which we will take all across Asean, we can help fill that gap and maybe even unearth the next Schooling, Sun Yang, Kitajima or Ben Proud."

Ben Proud said, "Following my first Olympic games experience in Rio last year, I've set my goals and focus on achieving success on Tokyo 2020 and prior to that defending my title at the 2018 Commonwealth games in Australia. It's going to be a challenging and exciting few years ahead."

"I am therefore delighted to have the chance to return to my swimming roots in Malaysia, where I first fell in love with the sport whilst growing up in Kuala Lumpur, to help train the talents of tomorrow. It will be really rewarding to work with AirAsia to inspire and nurture future swimming champions throughout the Asean region over the next four years."

Proud placed fourth in the 50m freestyle finals at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after setting a new British record in the qualifiers.

He is also the Commonwealth champion in the 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle, and represents Great Britain at the FINA World Aquatics Championships and LEN European Aquatics Championships. Please join AirAsia and Ben Proud as we welcome you to the Talent Pool!