CLEVELAND (AFP) – Bob Bowman, longtime coach of Olympic superstar Michael Phelps, will be the head coach of the US men’s swimming team at the 2017 Rio Games, USA Swimming said Wednesday.
National Team Director Frank Busch made the announcement during the American Swimming Coaches Association World Clinic, where David Marsh was named the women’s Olympic team coach.
Bowman has guided Phelps in an Olympic career that includes 22 medals, 18 of them gold.
Marsh is the head coach at SwimMac Carolina where he has coached Ryan Lochte since 2013.
Both will be serving as Olympic head coaches for the first time, although each has served as Olympic coaching assistant three times and Bowman was head coach of the men’s team at the 2013 World Championships and 2014 Pan Pacific Championships.
Bowman (R) has guided Phelps (L) in an Olympic career that includes 22 medals, 18 of them gold. EPA
In introductory remarks on Wednesday, Bowman emphasized the importance of relays — where US men would be crucial to improve the United States’ relays.
“The strength of a swimming nation is its relays,” said Bowman, who recently took over as coach at Arizona State University after serving for six years as chief executive and head coach of North Baltimore Aquatic Club.
“Bob and David are two of the most dynamic, innovative and well-respected coaches in our sport,” Busch said. “They’ve done amazing work with many of the world’s top swimmers and their international experience will be valuable as they guide our athletes in the lead-up to and at the Olympic Games.”
The 2016 Olympic Games pool competition in Rio de Janeiro will be held from August 6-13. Swimmers will compete for spots on the team at the trials in Omaha, Nebraska, June 26-July 3.
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