Olympic coach Michael Palfrey sacked over ‘un-Australian’ comments

An Olympic coach has been sacked by Swimming Australia over “un-Australian” comments made during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Olympic swim coach Michael Palfrey has been sacked by Swimming Australia over “un-Australian” comments made at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Palfrey said he hoped South Korean athlete Kim Woo-Min would win the men’s 400m freestyle at the Olympics despite Australians Sam Short and Elijah Winnington also competing in the event.

Swimming Australia confirmed Palfrey had been sacked in a statement on Friday.

“Swimming Australia has terminated Michael Palfrey’s employment due to a breach of his employment agreement,” the statement read.

“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.

Olympic coach Michael Palfrey has been sacked by Swimming Australia. Picture: Nine

A Swimming Australia statement said Palfrey had breached his employment agreement. Picture: NewsWire/ Adam Head

“CEO Rob Woodhouse confirmed Palfrey’s employment has ended effective immediately and the process to finding a successor for Palfrey at USC Spartans has begun.

“Palfrey retains his coach accreditation status.

“Swimming Australia will be making no further comment.”

Dolphins coach Rohan Taylor branded the comments “un-Australian” but recommended Palfrey continue his role during the Olympics.

“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 in July.

However, Australian chef de mission Anna Meares in July said she supported “Taylor and his team and the decision they have taken in the interests of the swimming team. It is a decision based on high performance and wellbeing”.