It was in May that Olympic Champion Yannick Agnel made the decision to change his training environment, to leave the direction of Fabrice Pellerin in Nice and choose to entrust his preparation to Bob Bowman in Baltimore. When he first publicly addressed the issue at a news conference he spoke about what he felt was missing in the relationship he had with Pellerin and what he hoped to develop with Bowman, “I want to find with Bob Bowman what was lacking in Nice: warmth, sharing, sincerity,” Agnel said, roughly, in French.
“That Fabrice has always wanted to avoid. He always wanted to put distance between himself and his swimmers. It is a choice that I respect and that works, I’m a double Olympic champion and I owe him. Maybe one day we can discuss everything. At this point, it is not suitable for this discussion. But there are things that will stay personal between Fabrice and myself.”
Heading into the World Championships it appears that the two will not be discussing their relationship in a civil manner anytime soon. Because the two are both representatives of France at the meet their paths must cross, but it has been reported by Yahoo France that the two have not talked.
In an article that was published by Nice Matin, the day before the World Championships are to begin, Pellerin discussed his feelings about the events involved in Agnel’s departure. Pellerin’s strongest words were for Agnel’s agent Sophie Kamoun (1984 French Olympian).
“The error, I’ll tell you where it is: if I made a mistake, it is the environment,” Pellerin said, roughly, in French.
“Clearly, the sports agent.”
“You know, the number of times Yannick went home to mature a little lesson I gave him in training and he returned more determined than ever, it happened regularly. The only novelty here is that a few hours later was an agent who organizes the expatriation of Yannick.”
When asked directly about Kamoun Pellerin said, “If I made a mistake myself, in my management is to be made to return the wolf into the sheepfold, voila!”
What makes the situation even more complicated is that Kamoun is also the agent for Camille Muffat who is still coached by Pellerin.
When asked for a response to Pellerin’s comments Yahoo France reported that Kamoun expressed her concern about how the incident may affect Muffat and that she would deal with the situation after the completion of the World Championships when it would be the appropriate time to do so.
Pellerin also shared his thoughts on the French Swimming Federation’s support of the move, which he will undoubtedly have to explain further at the conclusion of the competition.
“Yannick was received by all instances, aided by all instances and finally, nobody really cared about what his departure could mean for a coach, a group, a club and it’s a shame,” said Pellerin.
It seems nobody particularily cared that Yannick was leaving, Camille probably did care more than this phrase of hers leads me too believe, ‘It’s not like he’s my fiancé’ or something along those lines. The departure seemed quick and unstable. Though for Yannick it proved to be a good decision and rewarding.
It seems that Yannick made a sudden move as well. Of course it may irritate Pellerin a bit as Agnel was one of his brightest starts. Let’s accept it, Pellerin didn’t make bad work in the end.
Just watching Alain Bernard and Pieter vd Hoogenband having “a pool talk” on Eurosport, a magazine programme concerning swimming. Nice to see competitors having such a warm relationship. They are making their predictions as well.
they are doing a decent job there on Eurosport .
My first big world meet without MIchael Phelps since I watch swimming! It feels very strange.
Now I’m going to watch the prelims on TV. 😎
I’ll be back to comment them.
But NBA has continued after Magic Johnson or after Michael Jordan, so swimming will continue after Michael Phelps. He’s irreplaceable and the US team will feel it this year in Barcelona but someone else must now take over and be the face of swimming. I believe Missy Franklin is ready for that.
The After Phelps is allready interesting with many new stars in the making . We saw that at Us trials and also around the world .
I’m tired of all these dramas!
Now, it’s all about the pool. Let the show begin!
Normally I would not be concerned.
But Spain – an almost bankrupt nation that stepped up after uber wealthy Dubai pulled out – is trying to host these championships after 3 days of official mourning.
Sometimes swimming is only swimming .
Quite selfish of Mr. Pellerin to be SO vocal about Yannick’s departure. Athletes move on from coach to coach, he just needs to accept that and change his current behavior based on the feedback he received from Mr.Agnel.
On the plus side he is giving a lot of insight into why Agnel left with these kind of comments.
Nothing says you’ve got a unified and supportive national team like airing a whole bunch of dirty laundry the day before a major international championships begins, eh?
Woww… this whole thing is not handled smoothly