This coaching search won’t get as much as the highly-publicized (and tabloid-cized) change of Italy’s Federica Pellegrini two weeks ago, but still should perk up a few antennae. The current headliner of the Singapore program, 21-year old Tao Li, has split ways with her second coach of the last two years.
She and coach Barry Prime have split over disagreements as to how Tao’s training should be handled, according to several Singaporean media outlets. Prime, a Brit by birthright, is among the upper-echelon of the world’s credentialed coaches, including more than a decade as the senior coach at the famed Australian Institute of Sport. Altogether, he has at least a dozen Olympians on his resume (between his work in the UK, Australia, and Singapore). He was also briefly the National Performance Director at Swimming Ireland, though he changed his mind about the move about three-weeks in.
Prior to working with Prime, she trained with Peter Churchill, another Australian ex-pat, for four years before a split in April of 2010. Tao currently is training at the Singapore school of Sport.
Tao is a former Asian Record holder in the 100 fly, a mark that was set by her in the semifinals en route to a 5th-place finish at the 2008 Olympics. Tao will likely turn to Australia once again for her coach. A year ago, when this position was open, John Dempsey was rumored to be a big-time candidate for the postition. Dempsey is currently working as a coach in Hong Kong, and his name will surely pop up again.
Prime has agreed to continue coaching Tao until a replacement can be found.
I hear she contacted her old coach, asking if he was interested in coaching her again.
Zhao Jing was also trained in Australia, so Tao Li might as well go there
A few new additions to join Magnussen in Sydney under Brant Best
She should seek help from her mother team, Hubei provincial team in China, which contribute to Zhao Jing’s win in Worlds. It is easier to go back since the team is led by her father, Tao Ran.
Posted yesterday on Facebook: “Elizabeth Pelton updated her current city to Naples, Florida.” T2 and her former coach Paul Yetter are in Naples. Make of it what you will.
Have heard some rumors of recent switches, post Worlds. Anything comfirmed?
I am glad to see swimmers switching programs from other parts of the world and not just in the USA! A couple high profie americans have changed coaches….’grass is always greener’