Aussie swimming coach is in trouble for an INCREDIBLY un-Australian act at the Paris Olympics
- Australian swimming coach hopes Korean swimmer wins gold
- Two Australian swimmers will compete in the same race
- Coach asked to explain his bizarre comments
An Australian Olympic swimming coach has found himself in hot water in Paris after telling Korean media he hoped champion Kim Woo-min would beat Australian duo Sam Short and Elijah Winnington.
Coach Michael Palfrey has been asked by the Australian Olympic Committee to explain himself after he made the shocking comment during a poolside interview with South Korean TV reporters on the eve of the Paris Games.
Palfrey, who coaches the Dolphins and also works with Korean champion Kim Woo-min, said he hopes the rising talent wins gold on Saturday in the men’s 400m freestyle – a race that will see Australians Sam Short and Elijah Winnington compete.
“I really hope he (Woo-min) can win, but ultimately I really hope he swims well,” Palfrey said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Asked how he thought the race would go, Palfrey said: ‘I really think the last 100 to 200 metres are going to be a bit of a battle. It’s going to be tough. The boys are going to be there.
“There will be three or four in the race who think they can win. I think it comes down to that last 100 meters.
Australian swimming coach Michael Palfrey (pictured right) is in hot water after saying he hopes a Korean swimmer will win gold against a pair of Australians
Palfrey told Korean TV reporters he hoped world champion Kim Woo-min (pictured) would beat Australians Sam Short and Elijah Winnington in the 400-meter freestyle
“We need Woo-min to lift, that’s what I’ll tell him. He has to race hard.”
The coach reportedly ended the interview with the words “go Korea,” while wearing his Australian team jersey.
SMH reports that Swimming Australia is now aware of the comments and that head coach Rohan Taylor has spoken to Palfrey about the matter.
The Australian Olympic Committee has also been informed of the comments.
It is understood that a directive was issued earlier this year to Australian swimming coaches to sever ties with non-Australian swimmers ahead of the Games.
Palfrey is a coach for the Dolphins, but also works with Woo-min, who takes on Sam Short (pictured)
“The coaches in Korea and myself in Australia worked really well together,” Palfrey said.
‘I’m very good friends with the Australian coaches and swimmers, but I also really enjoyed coaching Kim.’