In short:
Australian coach Michael Palfrey told South Korean media he hopes Kim Woo-min will win the men’s 400 metres freestyle ahead of two Australian swimmers.
Palfrey has been involved in the coaching of Kim, who is the world champion in the event.
What’s next?
Swimming Australia will decide if it takes any disciplinary action.
An Australian Olympic swim coach is facing sanction for publicly stating he hopes a star South Korean athlete defeats Sam Short and Elijah Winnington at the Paris Games.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported Michael Palfrey told South Korean media in Paris he hoped world champion Kim Woo-min would win the men’s 400 metres freestyle ahead of Australian duo Short and Winnington.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Palfrey was wearing Australian team colours and said “Go Korea” at the conclusion of the interview.
ABC Sport will be live blogging every day of the Paris Olympics from July 27
Palfrey, one of eight coaches on the Australian squad, has told team officials he was “very sorry” for his comments.
Australia’s Olympic chef de mission Anna Meares said Palfrey’s comments were “a conflict and a serious error of judgement”.
“He is very aware and very sorry for what has occurred,” Meares told reporters in Paris on Thursday.
Swimming Australia head coach Rohan Taylor will decide any disciplinary action.
Meares said Taylor would be backed by Australian Olympic officials.
“We won’t be stepping in over the top of Swimming Australia,” Meares said.
“We will be working with them and any decision that they make, we will support.”
Palfrey works with Australian swimmers Zac Incerti, Abbey Connor and Alex Perkins.
He has also mentored South Korean swimmers in Brisbane, including Kim.
Kim won the men’s 400m freestyle at February’s world championships in Qatar, with Winnington finishing second.
Short claimed gold at the 2023 world titles in Fukuoka, with Kim and Winnington placing fifth and seventh respectively.
Australian coaches were told in March to end any association with non-Australian swimmers before the Paris Olympics.
Meares said Palfrey’s comments and whether he was still involved with Korean swimmers were both problematic issues.
“They both carry similar weight,” she said.
“But the fact that he’s commented about the athlete winning against the Australian team, that’s the bigger issue.”
Taylor, who is overseeing the eight other coaches on the Australian swimming team, will speak to the media later on Thursday.
The men’s 400m freestyle final will be held Sunday morning, Australian time.
AAP/ABC
