Fred Vergnoux, Coach of Mireia Belmonte, Pronounced Coach of the Year By AETN

Photo Courtesy: FINA Doha 2014

Frédéric Vergnoux was recently named 2016 Coach of the Year by the Spanish Swimming Coaches Association, Asociación Española de Técnicos de Natación (AETN), for his work with Olympic gold medalist Mireia Belmonte. The announcement was made at the 2016 AETN Congree, which was held earlier this month. In addition to naming Vergnoux, the organization also honored Jaume Marcé Gil as Disability Coach of the Year for 2016.

The Alejandro Lopez Trophy was awarded to Vergnoux to recognize his efforts in coaching Belmonte back from injury. Belmonte cited shoulder problems in 2015 which kept her absent from the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia, along with several other international competitions. While Belmonte would have been a favorite to medal in several events at the World Championships, Belmonte took the advice of Vergnoux and stayed home to recuperate so as to better focus on the goal of an Olympic gold.

When asked what has been the key to success during the 2016 Olympic year Vergnoux explained,

It has been the involvement of key people who have supported me throughout the season. With this attitude we have made an exceptional collective season. Swimming is a team sport of individual achievement.

Belmonte currently holds four SC World Records in the 400 (3:54.52), 800 (7:59.34), and 1500 (15:19.71) freestyles, along with the 200 fly (1:59.61).

Read the full announcement here, along with an interview with Fred Vergnoux (both in Spanish).

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