Legendary Aussie Coach Michael Bohl Settling into New Role in China; Sees Major Opportunities
As one of the most revered coaches in Australian history, Michael Bohl knows what is necessary to produce world-class performances. His guidance of the likes of Emma McKeon, Kaylee McKeown and Stephanie Rice serve as proof, and the Australian is now seeking to elevate results in China, where earlier this year he accepted an advisory role with the Chinese Swimming Association.
In a recent interview with the Xinhua News Agency, Bohl assessed the status of Chinese swimming and analyzed what it will take to continue to improve results in his new locale. Among his remarks, Bohl noted that the 100 freestyle title and world record delivered by Pan Zhanle at the Olympic Games in Paris can serve as a momentum boost, and trigger belief in other Chinese athletes.
“I think when Pan pops up and wins an Olympic gold medal, it gives the swimming population in China a lot more self-belief and confidence,” Bohl said in the Xinhua interview. “Seeing someone from their country perform well at the highest level builds a lot of confidence within the nation. So, the more success China has domestically, the more important it becomes internationally. I believe we will see more and more swimmers performing at that high level.”
During the interview, Bohl indicated that China needs to follow the path of the United States and Australia and invest more in sports science. He also noted that the country’s large population, which exceeds one billion, will offer a greater pool of talent from which to find future standouts. Bohl is also looking to expand racing opportunities for Chinese swimmers, citing the need to compete in order to sharpen skill.
“If you’re going to make mistakes, you want to make them in smaller competitions rather than at major events,” Bohl told Xinhua. “We don’t want the best results to come two years before the Olympics. We want the athletes performing at their absolute best when it matters most.”
