SYDNEY – After weeks of speculation, world champion swimmer James Magnussen has announced the names of the coaches who will guide him through the next 20 months to the Rio Olympics: Mitch and Lach Falvey.
Magnussen had parted ways with longtime coach Brant Best this summer, and while he was undergoing rehab for back pain, spent time looking for the right place to train on his quest to win Olympic gold. Few believed he would turn to two coaches with no background in coaching elite swimmers.
The Falveys coach at Ravenswood Swimming Club in Sydney, and the team’s website lists Mitch Falvey as an “ASCTA Silver Licence Coach.” That’s one level below the “Gold Coach” level, which is for those with experience in developing national team swimmers. Magnussen is certain, however, that the Falvey brothers will help lead him to success at the international level. The team website does not list Lach Falvey as a coach for Ravenswood, though an article in The Australian by Nicole Jeffery mentions that Lach Falvey would be joining the Ravenswood staff immediately.
Jeffery’s article also mentions a rigorous approval process that was required from Swimming Australia before the announcement. The federation had suggested to Magnussen that he pick a coach and team with a background in guiding elite athletes, but Magnussen had his sights set on the 20-something Falvey brothers.
“Having been through a very thorough and rigorous process with my extended support team over the past six weeks, we have reached what I believe is a very positive outcome for my future,” Magnussen said in a statement. “I am very excited at the prospect of taking my swimming career forward under the guidance and energy of Mitch and Lach Falvey. My experience with them so far is that there is a very strong fit in our approach towards swimming and in our work ethic and goal congruence for my training and racing moving forward.
“I feel really invigorated and excited about my new training set up, and am looking forward to resuming my racing career and pursuing the significant goals we have set for 2015 and beyond.”
Under Best’s guidance, Magnussen broke onto the world scene with two world championship titles in 2011 (400 free relay and 100 free) and a silver medal in the 100 free at the 2012 Olympics. Magnussen also defended his world title last year in the 100 free.