South African Sprint Sensation Lythe Pillay Joins Swiss Sportswear Brand On

Addis Ababa, March 18, 2026 (FMC) — South African 400m standout Lythe Pillay has officially joined the Swiss sportswear brand On’s global track and field roster, becoming the first professional South African athlete to sign with the company. The move highlights On’s strategic expansion into Africa’s sprinting elite.

A two-time Olympian and a key figure in South Africa’s sprinting program, Pillay has steadily risen to the top of international athletics. His breakthrough came as the 2022 World U20 Champion in Cali, Colombia, and he has since represented his country at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The 2025 season marked a career highlight for Pillay. He won gold at the World University Games and helped South Africa secure a historic bronze medal in the men’s 4x400m relay at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. With a personal best of 44.31 seconds, he is regarded as one of the world’s most promising quarter-milers.

Reflecting on the partnership, Pillay said, “I felt a deep connection with On because we share the same hunger and drive to establish ourselves among the giants of the industry. I’m excited to collaborate and channel that collective effort toward reaching the next level of the sport.”

Silja Mühlebach, Athlete Manager at On, added, “Lythe is an exceptional talent whose ambition and underdog spirit mirror our own journey. Welcoming him is a key step in growing On’s roster of elite sprinters in Africa, and we look forward to seeing him challenge the status quo.”