Episode #084 Yannick Agnel

In 2012, Yannick Agnel dominated the 200 Free at the London Olympics. So when he abruptly retired at the age of 24, it was a shock to the swimming world. He left to pursue his other curiosities. Today, living in Paris, Yannick is the director for an esports academy, just finished his first novel, and will lead the French broadcasting team for Tokyo 2020.

Show Notes:

How do you have such great English? Can speak a little bit of everything.

"I don't like to study, I like to learn." - Yannick Agnel

Pre-2012.

Watching him in 2000, Ian Thorpe was his first memory of swimming.

Grew up in Nimes. Moved to Nice swim for Fabrice Pellerin.

What was training like? Swimming with music that would have specific tempos.

"Technically speaking, I think it was one of the best squads in the world." - Yannick Agnel

Didn't start lifting weights and doing serious drylands until he was 16, 17.

Fabrice is a master technician -- the best in the world. We did stuff in France that nobody did back then. We swam on Sundays.

Coach-Athlete Relationship: it can bring great success but not enduring success.

Leading up to 2012 how were you mentally. Getting 4th in the 200 Free at World Champs in 2011. Finding a balance between swimming and life by going to business school.

Beating Phelps in the 200 Free at the EDF meet in 2010.

"I never let anyone beat me ever no matter what shape I'm in." - Michael Phelps

Arriving at the Olympics Yannick wasn't afraid. His training partners already prepared him and he knew his worth.

Anchoring the gold medal winning 4x100 Free Relay.

Fabien Gilot, was our Captain. Amaury Leveaux was our Dennis Rodman. USA has an envious "relay culture" that Clement learned a bit about swimming at USC.
Amaury Leveaux (48.13)
Fabien Gilot (47.67)
Clément Lefert (47.39)
Yannick Agnel (46.74)

Using practice goggles at the Olympics prevented Agnel from seeing past Ryan Lochte.

Dropping the 400 Free made all the difference.

Yannick Agnel walks you through his 1:43 200 Freestyle from the London Olympic Games

Sun Yang. Doping in swimming. The only two people that were tested at every meet was me and Michael Phelps.

The tragic loss of one of his closest friends and training partner, Camille Muffat.

Why did you stop so early?

Danas Rapšys is the only person in the world swimming the 200 Free correctly.

How he got to Baltimore to train under Bob Bowman along with Conor Dwyer and Co.

50x100's SCY. Can't remember exactly what he did but he said it was one of the best practices he ever did.

"I had no right to go less than 110%." - Yannick Agnel on training with the best in the world

Got some shoulder injuries. Slept extremely poorly. He woke up one morning and felt like he was just 70% of himself.

"Bob, if you hear this, you know that this meant the world to me. Because it's the very first time I received a message of consideration from my coach." - Yannick Agnel

And much more!

Yannick Agnel Full Episode:

YouTube Shortcuts Courtesy of Coach Ron Hehn

01:30 Introduction
09:00 Early Career
18:00 Fabrice Pellerin / Coaching Guru’s
25:00 Preparation For 2012 Olympics
33:00 Confidence Tips
42:00 2012 Olympic Relay Experience
48:30 200 Freestyle Strategy
55:00 Doping in the Sport / Sun Yang
1:04:00 Camille Muffat Death
1:10:00 Retirement and Life After Swimming
1:14:00 Swimming For Bob Bowman
1:21:00 Training Mindset
1:26:00 Importance of Coach : Athlete Relationship
1:32:00 Possibility of a Comeback / Life After Swimming
1:39:00 Closing Thoughts