Last night at the Paris Olympics, the Australian swimming team breathed fire. With the individual gold and silver medals from the 400m free event in both women’s and men’s categories, the Dolphins continued the fireworks in the relay game as well. Swimmers Shayna Jack, Mollie O’Callaghan, Emma McKeon, and Meg Harris starrer-squad thwarted the American challenge to own the 4x100m free relay contest in the women’s category. However, a sizable chunk of these accomplishments went to coach Dean Boxall, who had special attention for Shayna. The reason is nothing short of a tale of support and grit. 

Three years ago, Shayna Jack, 25, missed her Tokyo Olympics opportunity owing to serving her doping ban. The complaint was that she took performance-enhancing drugs before the Olympics, and because of that, a 24-month suspension was handed to her. But Dean Boxall believes that his mentee was fully clean. Rather, she had to lose her chance to appear in the Tokyo Olympics because of the sad show from the authorities. In a conversation with the Australian media, the Herald Sun, he narrated the situation, adding, “That last Olympics was taken away from her because of this complete and absolute rubbish.” His rage did not show any sign of calming down. 

Rather, he elaborated, “I know 100 percent she was innocent.” This belief made Dean Boxall stay alongside Shayna Jack. The swimmer thankfully acknowledges that part. After confirming her entry to the Paris Olympics, Shayna came face-to-face with the media. The delighted Dolphin claimed that the fiasco 3 years ago had left no hope in her. She failed to gather herself to give it a try for another Olympic. But the motivations from the close ones, including her swimming mates, made her change the decision. 

Now standing on firm ground, she could say, “I know that my family, friends and my partner are really proud of me”. Her national coach does not remain meek, as he backs her mental happiness, which can do wonders for her. “She is in the zone. She is so competitive. When the pressure is at its greatest she gets the most out of herself,” came out from Dean’s mouth, who has been watching her for a long duration. And the 47-year-old coach’s ability to remain with his swimmers is not a new thing. 

Dean Boxall prefers to bleed with his swimmers 

The Dolphins’ training stands to be a perfect den where the cubs follow the lead of the guardian lion. There’s no prize to guess who’s the lion in the Australian camp. With his long hair and metallic attitude, the South African origin coach signs himself in as the whole timer for the swimmers. His theatrics in the Tokyo Olympics after Ariarne Titmus’ victory attracted a lot of eyes, mixed with respect and loath. But he does not care about opinions. 

In continuing his role as coach, he could easily add, “I bleed with my athletes.” In a sport like swimming, which rarely earns someone, a friend, Dean Boxall bats for the engagement. He says, “When they leave the pool deck with me … they have to start the recovery process and go home. They switch off. I don’t. I go home and dream for them. I go home and try and find a way for them to get better.” This bonding makes him stand with his ‘cubs’. So, supporting Shayna Jack even after 3 years of the incident is not odd for him. If the situation arises, he will do the same. That ultimately shows that Australian swimming is really in excellent hands.