Among the post-Rio coaching, club and location changes that typically accompany the kick-off of a new Olympic quadrennial, Australian silver medalist Mitch Larkin has announced that he is leaving longtime club St. Peters Western.
Within his 7-year tutelage under storied coach Michael Bohl, 23-year-old Larkin has soared to the top of the world in his signature 200m and 100m backstroke events. Larkin took both titles at last year’s FINA World Championships and followed that up with Australian, Oceanic and Commonwealth Records in the events at last November’s FINA World Cup in Dubai.
He was expected to be a major player in both the 100m and 200m backstroke events at the 2016 Olympic Games, where a mega-dual was set to go down between the Aussie and American rival Ryan Murphy. Things didn’t go exactly according to plan, however, as Larkin finished off the podium in the 100m, although he was able to secure silver in the 200m event. Larkin was also a member of the Australian men’s bronze medal-winning 4×100 medley relay.
Larkin points to motivation stimulation as his primary driver in pursuing a coaching and club change, a change which Larkin calls ‘the toughest decision’ of his life.
“In order to keep motivation at its highest along with excitement within the training environment, I’ve decided to look at what other programs along with other coaches can offer over the next Olympic cycle,” Larkin said today.
“Michael has done everything for me in my career and I would not be where I am today or achieved what I have achieved without him,” he said.
“To leave such a great environment with so many amazing athletes has been tough, and also knowing my family has had such a strong bond with the club, – my father is the president -that has not been easy.”
“I am very excited to begin a new stage of my swimming career, however I want to take the time over the next few months to trial programs and find the best fit.” (Yahoo News)
Bohl, who also coaches 2016 Olympians Emma McKeon, Georgia Bohl, Bronte Barratt, Madison Wilson, Madeline Groves and Grant Irvine, said he understood Larkin’s reasoning.
“Mitch had been contemplating his swimming for the next four years towards Tokyo (2020 Olympics) and felt he needed to change programs in order to keep stimulated,” Bohl said in a statement.
It has not yet been released which programs Larkin will be visiting and if any reside outside of the nation of Australia.
With all these changes and swapping you would think that some of these swimmers would wait to the new podium centre opens up at griffith uni on the gold coast. The new pool is right next to the athletics track. Hmmm so who is swimming australia going to appoint to the position there ??
Who else is changing and swapping coaches in the Aussie team? Besides Larkin and Throssell, post Rio, haven’t heard of any other Aussie swimmers considering a change. A few of the swimmers do study at Griffith university so at least they can cut some laps in between classes.
There is one swimmer I think could really benefit from a coaching change, but it will probably not occur. It would be a very hard decision to leave a coach that’s been there for you, for a long period. Sometimes you got to do a Susie O’Niell and make those tough decisions, though.
Dan Smith going to Miami
Sorry I mean going to SPW from Miami
Nice one, Kelsey. Thanks for the info. Dan Smith, his journey to make the Olympic team was amazing. It is so good to see him in such a good place in his life now.
Well here is the big ONE
Kyle Chalmers is also going to Bond Uni
It’s a lock
Interesting, Swimboy, where did you hear the Chalmers news item from? That’s the second swimmer you have mentioned going to Bond Uni swim club.
Regarding Mitch Larkin, it has been reported he is going to be trialing with Ian Thorpe’s former comeback coach Tracey Menzies, in Canberra.
Also on Mitch Larkin’s list is Bond, and Craig Jackson and Ian Pope at Melbourne Vicentre. He also mentioned the Australian Head Coach’s suggestions of Commercial and Marion. But considering he didn’t consider these options upfront, seems he is more keen on the other options. The recent media interview and mention of wanting to trial with multiple squads could be a ruse, and he’s already made up his mind, who knows.
I’ll put you all out of your mysteries.
He is going to train at Bond University with Cam McEvoy.
If true, not a bad choice.
Less chance of marrying the coach there I guess. Em you are safe!
He should go to France with Lucas .All this yoga is very nice but it leads you away from an aggressive drive . It gets into your head & it is very difficult to reconcile competition.
Some good old mega kilos under a taskmaster & a change of scenery .with options for multi comps .
Take Chad along too.
Wonder if he tries training with his girl Seebohm
That is a possibility if he has no plans to relocate. David Lush also coaches Elmslie, but Seebohm is the main star in his squad. It may be worth Larkin to trial with Richard Scarce who Emily praised when she trailed with him, even if she did choose David Lush.
Larkin could also have a trial with Cusack who Seebohm’s former coach, Matt Brown, had endorsed as his preferred choice to coach Seebohm when they split. Cusack is known for his unconventional coaching methods. It has delivered results with Sprenger and the Campbells. Then again, Larkin might relocate and if he does then there’s a whole list of possible coaches and squads.