by sportswriters Li Jia and Zhou Xin
QINGDAO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Renowned Australian swimming coach Michael Bohl, who now works with China's team, is confident that China can become a dominant force in international swimming.
In a wide-ranging interview with Xinhua, Bohl, 63, shared his coaching philosophy, his views on China's swimming potential, and the challenges he has met while working in China.
Bohl is one of the most successful coaches in Australian history, having mentored numerous Olympic and world champions, including Emma McKeon, Kaylee McKeown, Stephanie Rice and Emily Seebohm, among others. He began his tenure with China's swimming team nine weeks ago and currently coaches 13 swimmers, four of whom competed at the 2024 Olympic Games.
China placed sixth in the swimming medal table at Paris 2024, highlighted by then 19-year-old Pan Zhanle's decisive victory in the men's 100m freestyle with a new world record of 46.40 seconds.
Bohl mentioned Pan's success in Paris as evidence of China's growing strength in the sport. "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. Seeing someone from their country perform well at the highest level builds a lot of confidence within the nation," he said.
"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."
Bohl added that he was highly optimistic about the future of swimming in China, citing the country's vast population as a key advantage. "The potential for China to continue improving and excelling in swimming is huge. There are so many more potential athletes out there," Bohl said.
The Australian compared China's current trajectory to his home country's rise in swimming, noting that Australia went from having only a few medalists to consistently producing top-performing athletes at each Olympics. Bohl said that with increased knowledge and experience, China can achieve similar success.
However, he emphasized that China needs to invest more in sports science. "Sports science in the U.S. and Australia is at a very high level. Integrating it into swimming could significantly benefit a country like China," he added.
Bohl also praised breaststroke swimmer Qin Haiyang, who secured four golds at the Fukuoka World Championships in 2023. Qin had initially planned to skip the National Spring Swimming Championships in Qingdao, but Bohl asked him to participate.
"I've been super impressed with the way Haiyang has worked over the last nine weeks. He's been very good in training, great in strength conditioning, and awesome in the pool," said Bohl, adding that Qin's motivation and consistency will be key to his success in the coming years.
Asked about the impact of age on swimmers, Bohl came up with examples like Michael Phelps and Sarah Sjostrom, who have won Olympic medals in their 30s. "If the spirit is willing and the mind is willing, and the body can hold together, then anything is possible," Bohl said, noting that Qin, who will be nearing 30 by the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, still has the potential to compete at the highest level if he maintains his motivation and focus.
Bohl also shared his coaching philosophy, describing it as a combination of scientific training methods and strong communication.
"Coaching is a mixture between art and science," Bohl explained. "You need to have a deep understanding of sports science, but also the ability to communicate effectively with your athletes."
The Australian also urged athletes to push themselves daily for continuous improvement. "The athletes who do really well have to work hard and work hard consistently," Bohl said. "It's not just about performing well once a week or once a month; it's about pushing themselves every day."
Mental resilience, especially during major competitions, is another key focus. "To be an elite athlete, you've got to persevere and be tough. Consistency is critical," Bohl said.
He also noted that racing is a crucial part of training, saying that it helps athletes build confidence and learn from their mistakes. "There's no better form of training than racing," he said.
Bohl has worked with the Chinese Swimming Association to create a more robust competition schedule, ensuring that athletes have regular opportunities to compete and improve. "If you're going to make mistakes, you want to make them in smaller competitions rather than at major events," he explained.
Bohl reaffirmed his commitment to helping Chinese swimmers reach their full potential in the lead-up to the Los Angeles Olympics. "We don't want the best results to come two years before the Olympics," he said. "We want the athletes performing at their absolute best when it matters most."
During his spell with China's team, Bohl admitted that the biggest challenge is communication. "The language barrier is the main difficulty," he said. "But I've been very lucky. The translator has done a fantastic job conveying my messages. My group and I have built trust over these weeks, and I believe we'll only get better."
Bohl isn't the first Australian coach to work with China's squad, with Denis Cotterell having previously coached former world record holder and Olympic champion Sun Yang. ■
