Legendary Australian Coach Michael Bohl Takes Advisor Position with Chinese Swimming Association
The original plan for veteran and internationally renowned Australian coach Michael Bohl was to take a 12-month break from coaching after the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. It seems like that approach has shifted, with reports from Australia indicating that Bohl has accepted an advising role with the Chinese Swimming Association.
According to several reports, including 7NEWS, Bohl will not be on deck in his new duties in China. Rather, he will serve as an advisor at the Chinese Swimming Association’s high-performance centers in Beijing and Shanghai. Bohl is one of the most successful coaches in Australian history, having mentored the likes of Emma McKeon, Kaylee McKeown, Stephanie Rice and Emily Seebohm, among others.
The news of Bohl’s move to China was shocking and Swimming Australia, the governing body for the sport Down Under, released a statement about Bohl’s decision.
“Swimming Australia is aware that Michael Bohl has accepted a role in China,” the statement said. “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.”
Under the guidance of Bohl, Rice won the 200 individual medley and 400 IM at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing while McKeon was the gold medalist in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle at the 2020 Olympics Tokyo. Most recently, Bohl guided McKeown to titles in the 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke at last summer’s Paris Games.