Murillo, 51, has known Morales since she was little, but he didn't start coaching her until after the Athens Games.

"I started teaching people how to swim in the natural lagoon in Coasta Rica, and has not expected to spend my life as a swimming coach," he said.

Murillo spent 11 years working as the head coach in Coasta Rica before working with Morales.

"I want to stay with Gisela (Morales) for another four years, maybe work for two more Olympics, and go back to running my own pool," he said.

Murillo is a strict coach, Morales said, and he is also "funny, social and understanding".

When Morales trained in the pool, Murillo helped her work on starts, turns and pace. "He not only takes care of the physical side, but also the mental side of me. When I was in the US, I emailed him every week," she said.

Doctor Fritsch, from Atlanta, helped Morales with her injuries. "Backstrokers usually get injured in their shoulders and I help her to recover," he said.

"Coming to the Olympics is not only about medals. We work together to let her bring about the best of herself," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2008)