An Australian Olympic swim coach, Michael Palfrey, will not be sent home from the Paris Games after publicly expressing support for a South Korean athlete over Australian swimmers.
Australia’s Olympic chef de mission Anna Mears has confirmed the decision after Palfrey told South Korean media he hoped world champion Kim Woo-min would triumph in the men’s 400 metres freestyle.
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The South Korean swimmer won the men’s 400m freestyle at the February world championships in Qatar.
“Go Korea,” Palfrey said in an Australian uniform during the interview.
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He has mentored South Korean swimmers, including Kim, in Brisbane, and has since apologised to team officials, saying he was “very sorry” for his comments.
Swimming Australia head coach Rohan Taylor described Palfrey’s comments as “un-Australian” and is considering expelling Palfrey from the Olympics.
“I am extremely disappointed,” Taylor said.
“For a coach on our team to promote another athlete ahead of our athletes is not acceptable,
“He either goes home or he stays, that’s the options,” Taylor added.
“And it’s what is the impact on performance of the team.”
Taylor acknowledged the challenges of finding replacement coaches if Palfrey is sent home but emphasised the importance of maintaining team dynamics and focus.
Meares described Palfrey’s comments as “a conflict and a serious error of judgement.”
She also expressed support for any decision made by Taylor and Swimming Australia.
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