Australian Olympic swimming coach Michael Palfrey has been addressed by team officials after expressing his hope that South Korean swimmer Kim Woo-min wins the 400m freestyle gold at the Paris Olympics, potentially defeating his Australian rivals.
Palfrey, who coaches both the Australian team and Woo-min, was deemed to have made a “serious error of judgement” by the Australian Olympic Committee.
Australian swimmers Sam Short and Elijah Winnington are among the contenders for the gold medal alongside current world champion Kim.
In an interview with South Korean media, Palfrey stated, “There will be three or four of them in the race that think they can win it.”
“I think it’s going to come down to that last 100 metres.
“We need Woo-min to lift, that’s what I’ll be saying to him. He’s got to race tough.
“I really hope he can win, but ultimately I really hope he swims well.”
Australian Team chef de mission Anna Meares said Palfrey’s comments were a “surprise and a shock”.
Australia head swimming coach Rohan Taylor is set to have a conversation with Palfrey, who is still with the team, on Thursday about potential further action over the matter.
“The fact that he’s commented about the athlete winning against the Australian team, that’s the bigger issue,” Meares added.
“Clearly whatever decision is made will be about the best interests of the athletes from a high-performance perspective and from a wellbeing perspective.”
It’s not uncommon for Olympic swimming coaches to work with multiple nations on a freelance basis. However, in April, Swimming Australia advised Olympic team coaches against starting new arrangements with foreign swimmers.
Palfrey coaches three Australian swimmers on the Olympic team: Zac Incerti, Abbey Connor, and Alex Perkins. He has also been working with other South Korean swimmers who, like Kim, have trained in Australia.
Palfrey remains in Paris, with the men’s 400m freestyle event set to take place on Saturday.