Swimming Australia ‘disappointed’ as legendary coach Michael Bohl joins rivals China
Swimming Australia has lost Michael Bohl to one of the country’s biggest rivals, after the highly regarded coach accepted a role with China.
Bohl last year announced he would step away from the pool deck after the Paris Olympics.
The veteran coach led Kaylee McKeown, Emma McKeon, Stephanie Rice, Madi Wilson and Emily Seebohm to Olympic gold across his career, with several more swimmers claiming podium finishes.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.But Bohl’s plan to slow down after Paris 2024 only lasted a few months.
He is taking up a role — away from the pool deck — with the Chinese Swimming Association as an adviser at their high-performance centres in Shanghai and Beijing.
“Swimming Australia is aware that Michael Bohl has accepted a role in China,” Swimming Australia said in a statement to 7NEWS.
“Michael has been influential on the sport’s biggest stage for more than three decades and while disappointed to lose a coach of his calibre, Michael’s international experience and global learnings will always be welcomed back on pool deck.
“Swimming Australia’s High Performance structure and coaching support is world leading and as such, will continue to attract international attention.”
Swimming Australia last year reacted to Bohl’s decision to take a break by recruiting respected British coach Mel Marshall to help fill the void.
Bohl had spoken openly about being unsure whether he would be recharged and ready to return to coaching later this year, or if retirement was his next step.
But he also said at the time he was discussing other projects and roles with Swimming Australia.
Bohl’s most successful protege in Paris was McKeown, who claimed the 100m-200m backstroke double for a second straight Olympics.
She also won silver in the 4x100m medley and bronze in the 200m individual medley and 4x100m mixed medley.
China’s hero was Pan Zhanle, the freestyle star who edged out Aussie Kyle Chalmers to win 100m gold in a new world-record time of 46.40 seconds.
Pan led the charge to help China win gold in the men’s 4x100m medley relay.
The nation’s women finished just seconds behind Australia and the United States to claim bronze in the 4x100m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle and 4x100m medley relays.
China claimed silver ahead of Australia in the mixed 4x100m medley relay.
Originally published on 7NEWS Sport
