Swiss sportswear brand On has announced the signing of South African 400m specialist Lythe Pillay to its global athlete roster, as the company continues its expansion into African athletics.
A two-time Olympian and a key figure in South Africa’s elite sprinting ranks, Pillay becomes the first professional South African athlete to join the brand’s growing portfolio of track and road runners.
“Lythe is an exceptional talent whose ambition and underdog spirit perfectly mirror our own journey,” said Silja Mühlebach, Athlete Manager at On. “His transition from a child falling in love with the track to a world-class medallist shows a level of dedication that we are incredibly proud to support. Welcoming Lythe is a key step in our mission to grow On’s roster of elite sprinters in Africa, and we look forward to seeing him challenge the status quo.”
Pillay fell in love with athletics during primary school and quickly rose through the ranks, winning gold at the 2022 World U20 Championships. He has since established himself on the global stage, representing South Africa at both the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 2025 season proved to be a breakthrough year for the 400m specialist. He claimed gold at the World University Games and played a crucial role in South Africa’s bronze medal finish in the men’s 4x400m relay at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. With a personal best of 44.31 seconds, Pillay is widely regarded as one of the most promising quarter-milers in the world.
The sprinter said he is excited to join On, noting that both he and the brand share a similar drive to establish themselves among the sport’s elite.
“Both the brand and I have a point to prove to the world, and I’m excited to collaborate and channel that collective effort toward reaching the next level of the sport,” he said.
Pillay joins a growing African contingent on On’s roster, including Ethiopian runners Samuel Tefera, Sutume Asefa Kebede and Freweyni Hailu, Kenyan standout track and field and cross country runners Hellen Obiri, Doris Lemngole, Marion Jepngetich, Joy Naukot and Mercy Chepngeno. Other Africans on the roster include Egyptian Karateka Feryal Abdelaziz, Ghanian paralympic athlete Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe, Mauritian paralympic athlete Noemi Alphonse and Moroccan middle-distance runner Soufiane El Bakkali.
