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Australia Fires Olympic Swimming Coach Over Support for South Korean Athlete

Michael Palfrey's endorsement of a rival swimmer at the Paris Olympics led to his immediate dismissal, citing breach of contract and reputational damage.

  • Michael Palfrey expressed hope that South Korea's Kim Woo-min would win the men's 400m freestyle, sparking controversy.
  • Australian officials condemned Palfrey's comments as 'un-Australian' and a serious error of judgment.
  • Swimming Australia terminated Palfrey's employment for breaching his contract and damaging the organization's reputation.
  • Palfrey will retain his coaching accreditation despite the dismissal.
  • The incident has prompted Swimming Australia to reconsider policies on coaches working with international competitors.
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