“Shocking Twist: Ariarne Titmus’ Coach Joins Forces with Rival Nation During Aussie Star’s Hiatus!”

With Ariarne Titmus opting for an extended hiatus from swimming, coach Dean Boxall finds himself with additional time. It appears that the esteemed Australian coach intends to assist a competing nation.

French sensation Leon Marchand disclosed last week that he plans to travel to Australia in the upcoming year, where he will collaborate with Boxall for a duration of up to three months. The 22-year-old Marchand astonished the swimming community in Paris earlier this year when he became only the fourth swimmer in Olympic history to earn four individual gold medals in a single Games.

He triumphed in the 200m individual medley, 200m breaststroke, 200m butterfly, and 400m individual medley – establishing himself as the highlight of his home Olympics. Yet, he refuses to bask in past achievements and is eager to achieve even greater heights.

The French athlete has pinpointed freestyle as the stroke he can enhance the most, and he is enthusiastic about collaborating with some of the top coaches globally to achieve this goal. That’s where Boxall enters the picture.

The Australian coach has mentored Titmus and Mollie O’Callaghan to become some of the finest freestyle swimmers worldwide while also advising Elijah Winnington and Shayna Jack. However, the Aussie is now poised to disclose his expertise to Marchand and a competing nation – a strategy that may not be well-received by Swimming Australia.

“I intend to attempt to transform swimming discipline,” Marchand stated last week regarding his aspirations for 2025. “I plan to travel a bit more, engage in various activities, meet individuals from diverse cultures.

“So, here’s the official announcement. I aim to visit Australia in January for two to three months. I’m looking forward to experiencing a different culture and training with a different coach, and afterwards I’ll rejoin (primary coach) Bob Bowman in Austin (Texas) throughout the year.

“I discussed it with my coach. He believed it was beneficial to observe an alternative training style. It’s the opportune time. I have four years to get ready for Los Angeles (Olympics in 2028). I have time, I aim to surf and relish Australia.”

Will Dean Boxall provoke the displeasure of Swimming Australia?

While Boxall wouldn’t inherently be committing any offense by collaborating with Marchand, he risks inciting the displeasure of Swimming Australia and the wider public. Earlier this year, Swimming Australia dismissed Aussie coach Michael Palfrey due to remarks he made concerning South Korean athlete Kim Woo-min during the Paris Olympics.

Palfrey was on contract with Swimming Australia at that time but expressed to Korean media his hope that Kim – who he had previously trained – would secure the gold in the 400m freestyle in Paris. Aussie competitors Winnington and Sam Short were also in the final alongside Kim.

Swimming Australia allowed Palfrey to remain in Paris for the Games, though later terminated his contract. “Palfrey was deemed to have violated his employment agreement by bringing his reputation and that of Swimming Australia into disrepute, causing significant damage to both,” stated the governing body.

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Ariarne Titmus taking a much-deserved hiatus from swimming

Boxall’s collaboration with Marchand will take place during a hiatus from swimming for Titmus. In August, following the Olympics, the 24-year-old expressed that she did not intend to return to the pool for at least a year, even if it meant forgoing the world championships in 2025.

Titmus secured two golds and two silvers in Paris, yet highlighted the necessity for both a physical and mental respite. “I just want to ensure that I’m adequately prepared for LA. I don’t want to return too soon and, you know, lose that motivation, I assume,” she remarked.

“Four years is a lengthy period, so I wish to ready myself thoroughly for those Olympic Games. My focus is on that, not the world championships in the intervening years. Therefore, I just want to take the time to let my ambition regenerate and to enjoy myself a little longer.”