Michael Bohl, affectionately called ‘Bohly’, has been at the forefront of the Australian Swimming Team’s gold rush at the Olympics. After the historic performance at Tokyo 2020, Griffith’s High-Performance Swim Squad hopes to surpass Team Australia’s previous achievements in Paris. Currently, Bohl coaches some of his nation’s greatest swimming stars at Griffith University.

Honored with the Order of Australia, athletes under Michael Bohl have won medals at every Summer Olympics since 2008. This year, Bohl’s athletes—Kaylee McKeown, Emma McKeon, Cody Simpson, Lani Pallister, and Brendon Smith—are eager to take Australia to new heights. So, what’s the secret behind Coach Bohl’s success?

How Michael Bohl trains champions

While not much is known about the renowned coach’s early life we know the 62-year-old was a swimmer himself. However, we know this thanks to a special connection Bohly shares with the family of one of Australia’s most prolific Olympic champions, Emma McKeown. Michael Bohl and McKeown’s father Ron McKeown were teammates in the 1984 AIS swimming team.

While Bohl transitioned to swimming the two became great friends. “Ron was best man at my wedding,” Bohl told ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) in 2021. While the Marist Brothers (Ashgrove) student didn’t win international medals as an athlete, he has developed his coaching philosophy for decades. Yet, the head coach at Griffith hasn’t stuck to just the old-school ways.

Today, coaching has evolved to become increasingly tailored for the individual. For Michael Bohl, each athlete is unique in their way and he caters to each of their strengths and weaknesses. However, The FINA 2021 Coach of the Best Female Swimmer Award winner has a simple philosophy: “Create an environment that promotes positivity and hard work.”

Although each athlete’s program may be tailor-made, Michael Bohl ensures everyone gives their 100% without being pushed over the edge. The veteran coach’s training embodies the principles of enthusiasm, industriousness, and the three Ps: patience, perseverance, and persistence. His methods have helped Emma McKeon earn a staggering 12 Olympic medals. However, it’s not just the coach who makes Griffith Swimming Club a place for champions.

The ones who brought renown to the Griffith Swimming Club

The Griffith Swimming Club has a rich, nearly 100-year-old history. The Griffith School Swimming Baths, a 22.8m long pool, was built in 1930. Shortly after its construction, the Griffith Swimming Club was born. In the fall of the same year, the pool was extended to 45.7m. However, it would take 20 more years for the Griffith Olympic Pool to be constructed, allowing competitive swimming to take root in Griffith.

Today, Olympic stars like Kaylee McKeown, Emma McKeon, Brendon Smith, and others swim in a state-of-the-art 50m Olympic standard pool at Griffith Swimming Club. In addition to the main pool, the club also boasts a 25m indoor pool, allowing Michael Bohl to coach his elite athletes year-round. With a track record of success since 2008, a lot is riding on Bohl and his athletes as they head into the Paris 2024 Olympics. Regardless of the outcome, the 62-year-old coach plans to continue guiding his team of champions beyond the Games.