Swimming Australia confirms Gennadi Touretski as Ian Thorpe’s coach – Swimming news
Swimming Australia confirmed the news that Australian comeback king, Ian Thorpe, has decided to prepare himself for the 2012 London Olympic Games under the supervision of Russian born coach, Gennadi Touretski.
Thorpe was keeping his coach’s identity undisclosed, saying that it is not a secret but he will reveal the name at the right time. Now, he has officially signed a deal with the Russian. Thorpe has initially declared to make Abu Dhabi as his permanent camp
base and spend a little time in Europe and then in Australia. Thorpe went to the Abu Dhabi last month for an extensive training programme, where his schedule was reviewed by Nugent in the first week.
Thorpe has confirmed his swimming strategy with his coach Touretski and Australian national head coach, Leigh Nugent. The former Olympic champion was offered every bit of help from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), to prepare him for the 2012 London
Olympics. Thorpe will spend majority of his time in Tenero, Switzerland, with his new coach and then he will head back to Abu Dhabi and Australia for his Olympic trials in March, 2012.
Touretski showed his firm belief in Thorpe and said, “When I first heard about Ian returning to swimming I was pleased for him and I was also pleased for Australian swimming. We all know that he left the sport at a young age, and having seen him over the
last couple of days I have no doubt that he still has plenty to offer the sport, and plenty to achieve from a personal perspective.”
Swimming Australia commented that Thorpe and Touretski will return to Australia for the Olympic trials and 2012 Australian Swimming Championships, to connect with fellow Australian swimmers. Nugent also paid his regards to the Swiss Swimming Federation for
their help, as Touretski was rendering his services to the board.
Gennadi had served the AIS for 10 years from 1992 to 2002, where he flourished the swimming career of Russian Popov and Australian swimmer, Michael Klim. He is one of the best coaches who offer customised coaching programmes to their swimmers by pointing
out strengths in their pupils and then working to enhance their performances.
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