Michael Palfrey: Australian swimming team coach sacked in wake of Paris Olympics comments

Australian swimming coach Michael Palfrey has been sacked in the wake of a bizarre comment in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics where he said he hoped a Korean athlete would beat an Aussie duo. Palfrey raised eyebrows in the pre-Games interview with a South Korean TV network when he backed Kim Woo-min - an athlete he had previously worked with - to shine in the men’s 400m freestyle event. The race featured Aussie pair Elijah Winnington - who ultimately claimed silver ahead of Kim’s bronze - and Sam Short. “I really hope he can win, but ultimately I really hope he swims well,” said in the interview, while wearing Australian team colours. In a statement, Swimming Australia said they had terminated the coach “due to a breach of his employment agreement”. “Palfrey was found to have breached his employment contract by bringing himself into disrepute and causing serious damage to his and Swimming Australia’s reputation, and adversely affecting Swimming Australia’s interests,” the statement read. “CEO Rob Woodhouse confirmed Palfrey’s employment has ended effective immediately and the process to find a successor for Palfrey at USC Spartans has begun. “Palfrey retains his coach accreditation status. “Swimming Australia will be making no further comment.” Aussie swim team head coach Rohan Taylor labelled Palfrey’s comments as “un-Australian” in the wake of the July interview, but recommended he remain with the team in Paris. “For a coach on our team to promote another athlete ahead of our athletes is not acceptable and I’ve spoken to Michael about that,” Taylor said at the time.