Conflicting Reports About David Marsh and His Role With Israeli Swimming Federation

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

U.S. women’s Olympic team coach David Marsh is taking on some new responsibilities for the next quadrennial. According to a report from 5 Sport in Israel, Marsh will sign a contract to work as a consultant for the Israeli Swimming Federation, and he is expected to meet with Israeli Swimming Federation chairman Simon Davidson at a Grand Prix meet in Italy in early November.

Marsh could not confirm the report when contacted by Swimming World.

According to the article, Marsh will oversee all national swimming programs and travel to Israel six times per year for two weeks each to oversee training, and he will bring along members of his own American-based squad. Dr. Leonid Kaufman will remain the coach of the senior national team, and Kayo Kagevich will become the new coach of the 14 to 18-year-old swimmers.

In addition, a group of Israel’s top swimmers will reportedly attend four three-week training camps in the U.S. to train under Marsh at SwimMAC Carolina in Charlotte. The Israeli Swimming Federation will finance the program, which will only be enacted once approved by the Israeli Olympic Committee and the Israeli Government Sports Authority.

The program’s top aim is putting an Israeli swimmer on an Olympic podium at the next Games in Tokyo in 2020.

“We do not want to talk in terms of the semifinals at the Olympic Games. Our big dream is to win a medal, and we dream of as high. Of course, if, for example, our swimmers finish three times in the fifth place, it is also deemed a huge success. If we can not get it, it’s a sign that we have failed, but now we’re doing the best move that could bring us closer to the most this success,” Davidson told 5 Sport (translated).

5 Sport also reports that Marsh will be in attendance at Israel’s National Championships this December, according to the report

At the ASCA World Clinic in September, Marsh said that he had interest in consulting but had yet to accept any job with Israel.

Swimming World contacted Marsh again for an update and received the following reply:

“Not taking anything yet—did a clinic and have advised them,” Marsh said. “They have never won an Olympic swimming medal and have recently invested a bunch [of money] in swimming with a new pool at the Wingate Institute (European Short Course and European Juniors). I hope we can work something formal out, but if not I’ll continue to be happy to help.”

Read more from 5 Sport by clicking here.

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Johnny

7 years ago

Why would SwimMac allow this? How do they benefit from having coach Marsh gone helping Israel?

SwimMAC Dad

7 years ago

Reply to Johnny

Why wouldn’t they? What makes SwimMAC different is the progressive nature and ignition from high performance through out. To have my children in the program and for them to see a partnership with Israel led by a great man like Coach Marsh is inspiring. Our families are inspired and our children get to learn from these experiences. We saw the same concept when groups of our kids traveled to Italy to meet children of the same age and race, in years past. It inspired a culture of acceptance. Coach Marsh continues to be non traditional however the sport is moving in a new direction and we embrace and enjoy the leadership.