Swimming Australia has dismissed coach Michael Palfrey following remarks he made during the Paris Olympics, where he expressed support for a South Korean swimmer over Australian athletes.
In an interview with South Korean television, Palfrey stated he hoped South Korea’s Kim Woo-min would win the men’s 400-meter freestyle in Paris, a race featuring Australians Sam Short and Elijah Winnington. “I really hope he can win, but ultimately I just hope he swims well,” Palfrey said, adding, “Go Korea.”
On Friday, Swimming Australia announced Palfrey’s termination, citing a breach of his employment agreement. The organization stated that Palfrey had “brought himself into disrepute, caused serious harm to his and Swimming Australia’s reputation, and negatively impacted Swimming Australia’s interests.”
Despite the dismissal, Palfrey will retain his coaching accreditation.
Palfrey, who previously advised Kim, was instructed alongside other Australian coaches in March to cease associations with non-Australian swimmers ahead of the Olympic Games.
Germany’s Lukas Märtens won gold in the men’s 400-meter freestyle, with Elijah Winnington taking silver and Kim Woo-min securing bronze.
Australia’s head swim coach, Rohan Taylor, condemned Palfrey’s comments as “un-Australian” and initially suggested he might be sent home, though Palfrey was ultimately allowed to stay in Paris. “Very disappointed. Extremely disappointed,” Taylor said at the time. “For a coach on our team to promote another athlete over our own is unacceptable.”
