Agnel Has Found A Home In Baltimore

On January 25th Bob Bowman tweeted:

I’ve been coaching for 28 years. Today @YannickAgnel took things to a new level. #justtrainandyouwillsee #NBAC2014

— Bob Bowman (@coach_bowman) January 25, 2014

What exactly that performance was we still do not know, even though the French magazine L’Equipe did everything they could to convince the 21 year old Olympic and World champion to tell them what he did to impress legendary coach, “It’s secret. Bob does not want to say,” Agnel said with a laugh.

He went on to joke with the reporter that Bowman was actually commenting on his actions at a Five Guys and Fries restaurant.

Agnel did tell the reporter how grateful he was for the compliment, a sentiment he shared with Bowman at the time replying to his tweet:

@coach_bowman Thank you so much… #proudtobehere #Caturdaypractice

— Yannick Agnel (@YannickAgnel) January 25, 2014

Agnel seems to have found a home in Baltimore, even though he does miss his family, friends and of course french cuisine, “Family and friends, but with social networking, it passes,” Agnel told L’Equipe when asked what he missed about France.

“The food. There’s a lot of French restaurants in Washington, but I have not had too much opportunity to set foot there. Otherwise everything is at the top, I really enjoy it here.”

Agnel did share insights into his training, discussing how he has worked with Bowman on changing some technical aspects of his stroke, specifically his head position and the timing of his breath.

He also discussed the opportunity he has had to train with one of his strongest competitors, American Connor Dwyer, who finished second to the Frenchman in the 200 freestyle at the 2013 World Championships. Agnel spoke about how the two are friends and help bring the best out of each other in practice and competition.

Bowman’s group, that already includes Agnel and Dwyer along with Olympic gold medalists Allison Schmitt and Matt McLean, Danish star and World Championships silver medalist Lotte Friis, added a new member in early January when Olympic gold medalist Ous Mellouli decided to join the team in North Baltimore.

Mellouli, who is fluent in french, growing up in Tunisian and training in France, has brought more to the group than someone that Agnel can banter with in his native tongue, “It sure feels good to speak a little French, but beware Bob Bowman is not doing bad!”

“Oussama has had a sacred impact on the group. I never seen someone have as monstrous a level of consistency session after session.”

Agnel also spoke about the presence of Michael Phelps and although he shares lane space with him from time to time, he proclaims to have no more insight into sport’s most decorated champion’s future than the rest of us do, “Honestly, I do not know if there will be a time where he wants it to become serious. But it’s still Phelps. When you see him in the water, you think we are not equal.”