Ken Wood, Leisel Jones’ original coach is not convinced that switching coaches so close to the Beijing Olypmics was a smart move on her part.
Jones decided to move to Melbourne, parting ways with her long-time coach Stephan Widmer. Reports say that Jones made the move to be closer to her boyfriend, AFL star Marty Pask. Wood said…
“Personally, I don’t know if it’s for the betterment of her swimming that she’s moved down there. You’re going so well with a coach so close to an Olympics, why would you leave?”
“All I hope is that the relationship stays together. If he (Pask) breaks that relationship, she could be left between a rock and a hard place down in Melbourne. I hope it all works out otherwise people will be on Rohan Taylor’s [Jones’ new coach] back saying it was his fault.”
Other reports also suggest that commercial opportunities in Melbourne were also a major attraction for Jones. This is a draw that Alan Thompson, Head Coach of Australian Swimming, says he can’t fault her for persuing…
“There’s not many times in their lives they get the chance to make the most of commercial opportunities and leading into an Olympics is one of the best times.”