Australia coach fired for backing South Korean swimmer at Paris Olympics

Michael Palfrey, a coach for Swimming Australia, was dismissed for expressing support for South Korean swimmer Kim Woo-min during the Paris Olympics. Palfrey made comments to South Korean media, stating his hope that Kim would win the men’s 400-meter freestyle event, which included Australian competitors Sam Short and Elijah Winnington. His remarks, which included a call to 'Go Korea,' were deemed inappropriate by Swimming Australia, leading to his termination for breaching his employment agreement. Swimming Australia issued a statement indicating that Palfrey's comments brought disrepute to both himself and the organization, damaging their reputation and interests. The organization had previously instructed its coaches to refrain from associating with non-Australian swimmers, a directive given four months before the Olympics. Despite the controversy, Palfrey retained his coaching accreditation status. The event concluded with Germany’s Lukas Märten winning gold, followed by Winnington with silver and Kim taking bronze. Rohan Taylor, the head swim coach, expressed his disappointment over Palfrey's comments, labeling them as 'un-Australian' and suggesting that he might be sent home, although he ultimately remained in Paris. This incident highlights the tensions within national sports teams regarding loyalty and support for fellow athletes, especially during high-stakes competitions like the Olympics. The decision to terminate Palfrey underscores the importance of maintaining a unified front and the expectations placed on coaches to prioritize their athletes' success above all else.