Adam Peaty’s coach, Mel Marshall, is proving that female coaches can operate at the highest level of elite sport, as she aims to guide Peaty to Olympic glory.

Having worked with the precocious swimming talent since he was 14 years of age, Marshall has guided the young Loughborough based athlete to three world records and three world titles.

Of Marshall’s role in his success Peaty commented: “She’s a very unique coach with a lot of charisma, but a lot of professionalism when it’s needed. We have a unique bond, especially given she’s a female coach, and there aren’t many of those at the top of the sport.

“She’s been there and done it, with six Commonwealth medals and has been to two Olympic Games, so you can’t really have anyone better in terms of experience. She helps me to relax and that is vital.”

Of her unique position at the top of world sport, Marshall added: “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a woman or a man, everybody has a skillset that they can bring to the athletes. Our relationship is quite unique because I’ve coached him since he was 14, when he had a bad haircut and said three words a year! I’ve seen him on his difficult days, I’ve seen him through his GCSEs and I’ve worked with his parents all these years, and so that’s what makes our relationship unique.”

Report courtesy of Loughborough University