Advertisement

'The Missile' left unguided as coaching dilemma deepens

Olympic swimmer James Magnussen is currently training by himself in Sydney after failing to find a new coach prior to his return to the pool.

The dual world 100m freestyle champion split with previous coach Brant Best in early September and has reportedly butted heads with Swimming Australia over a new arrangement.

Magnussen, who grew up in Port Macquarie but moved to Sydney five years ago, would prefer to remain in the harbour city with a coach of his choosing.

However the Courier Mail reports Swimming Australia officials want the 23-year-old to join one of their 12 podium performance centres – six of which are in Queensland.

“I’m pretty set in my mind that I want to stay in Sydney,” Magnussen said.

“Moving from the country to Sydney took a lot of adjusting but now I feel comfortable, I have a good support team around me and a good friendship group here too.

“I’m really hesitant to leave that behind and try to find not only a new coach but new friends and a new place to live. I don’t think that’s ideal.”

Despite describing training solo as a “tough slog”, Magnussen is adamant he won’t be rushed into making a decision.

“I would love to have a coach in the next few weeks but it’s a decision that takes time because whoever I pick will be taking me through to the Rio Olympics,” he said.

Magnussen returned to the water three weeks ago following a two-month break from the sport in the wake of his injury-affected performance at the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.

Away from the pool, the man dubbed ‘The Missile’ will soon be sporting his first-ever moustache after signing up as an ambassador for the 2014 Movember campaign.

Some of the Aussie athletes and celebrities getting behind Movember.
Some of the Aussie athletes and celebrities getting behind Movember.

The month-long event encourages men to grow moustaches while raising funds and awareness for men’s health issues such as prostate and testicular cancer.

“I’ve always wanted to do Movember but there has always been events or races on around the time so it never really worked for me,” Magnussen said.

“This year I’m fully committed to the cause and looking forward to it.”

Find out more or sign up at movember.com.