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.