Commentators in the US have pointed out the surprisingly muted reactions from Australian coach Dean Boxall when Mollie O’Callaghan secured gold at the Paris Olympics, particularly in contrast to his explosive celebration for Ariarne Titmus.
O’Callaghan achieved her inaugural individual Olympic gold in the highly anticipated 200m freestyle final, competing against her fellow Australian and rival, Titmus.
This win marked a significant moment as it was the first instance since Ian Thorpe’s triumph over Grant Hackett in the men’s 400m freestyle at the 2004 Athens Games that Australia has clinched a 1-2 finish in an Olympic swimming event.
O’Callaghan turned the tables from the Australian selection trials, where Titmus had narrowly emerged victorious over her training partner with a world record time.
Both athletes train under Dean Boxall in Brisbane, and his response to O’Callaghan’s victory over his star swimmer Titmus caught the attention of NBC commentator Dan Hicks.
‘If you’re Dean Boxall, what do you do? Well, yeah, I’ve got two of them,’ Hicks remarked post-race.
‘We’ve seen him go wild when Titmus wins; for some reason, he doesn’t seem to celebrate as exuberantly when O’Callaghan takes the win.
‘However, the Australians secure a gold and silver, enjoying a moment of sportsmanship as O’Callaghan outshines Titmus this evening.’
Known for his explosive celebrations, Boxall appeared noticeably subdued when Mollie O’Callaghan triumphed over Ariarne Titmus in the 200m freestyle final.
Commentators from both America and Australia observed the toned-down celebrations from the usually animated Aussie coach.
This reaction stood in stark contrast to the Tokyo Olympics, where Boxall nearly overshadowed Titmus after she claimed gold in the 400m freestyle.
Immediately following Titmus’s groundbreaking victory, which ended Katie Ledecky’s undefeated streak, Boxall’s animated response was captured on camera.
Dressed in his signature bright yellow Australian shirt, Boxall removed his face mask and began dancing around his box while a team member tried to manage his lively celebration.
‘He’s going absolutely wild. It’s like he’s putting on a show akin to Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones,’ the commentator exclaimed in that moment.
Boxall charmed audiences as he celebrated by pumping his fists and shaking the glass barrier, eventually getting emotional and wiping away tears as Titmus prepared to accept her medal.
Fans quickly noted Boxall’s more restrained response to O’Callaghan’s win over Titmus.
‘Dean Boxall must be feeling quite proud right now. Where’s that wild enthusiasm? We need the #Paris2024 version, please,’ one user tweeted.
‘Australian coach Dean Boxall trains both O’Callaghan and Titmus, just now winning gold and silver respectively. His demeanor is giving Spicoli vibes. IYKYK,’ commented another, drawing parallels between Boxall’s mellow state and Sean Penn’s character Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Boxall, at his unrestrained best, celebrates as Ariarne Titmus wins gold in the 400m freestyle final on the opening day of the Paris Olympic Games.
This came after he celebrated intensely in the stands during the Tokyo Olympics when Titmus won her inaugural gold medal.
Giaan Rooney, a revered figure in Australian swimming, speculated on why Boxall moderated his exuberance, stating it had nothing to do with favoritism towards either of his athletes.
‘Coach Dean had to discover a way to celebrate subtly since both his swimmers were in the 200m freestyle final,’ Rooney expressed during the Nine broadcast.
‘He can’t appear overly enthusiastic for Mollie while seeming too disappointed for Arnie.’
Discussing from Paris, Titmus shared that, despite both being coached by Boxall, they rarely train simultaneously.
‘Honestly, we don’t train together. I have a vastly different program to hers; I focus on the distance while she emphasizes sprinting,’ Titmus explained at the Australian team’s training base in Chartres, southwest of Paris.
‘It feels just like racing against any other teammate, which is beneficial. Dean adeptly manages that situation.’
‘I don’t view my competitors as adversaries outside of the pool; I focus on their individuality, which helps keep interactions civil.’
O’Callaghan highlighted the importance of nurturing their friendship over competition.
‘The essential element is maintaining a balance,’ O’Callaghan stated.
‘Occasionally, we race each other, and other times we don’t. The priority is cultivating that healthy relationship with the others.
‘While we are competitors ultimately, fostering that friendship outside the water is equally crucial.
