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Olympic Coach Michael Palfrey Deemed ‘Un-Australian’ For Men’s 400 Free Comments

Michael Palfreyone of eight coaches on the Australian coaching staff for the impending 2024 Olympic Games, is facing serious blowback after he made comments deemed ‘un-Australian.’

Palfrey, who works with Korean 400m free Kim Woomin in addition to Dolphins, said recently of that event’s prospects in Paris, “I think it’s going to come down to that last 100 meters. We need Woomin to lift, that’s what I’ll be saying to him. He’s got to race tough.”

He also reportedly stated, “Go Korea”. (Fox Sports)

Woomin’s primary competition includes past Australian world champions Elijah Winnington and Sam Short.

Both Aussie head coach Rohan Taylor and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) have expressed disappointment over Palfrey’s seemingly cheering on an athlete from another nation. Palfrey now faces potential punishment over the incident.

Taylor said today, “The options are he either goes home or he stays.

“It’s very disappointing, extremely disappointing for a coach on our team to promote another athlete ahead of our athlete is not acceptable.

“For me my priority right now is the performance of the team and performance of the athletes.

“He made an error and he owns that error.” (The Herald Sun)

“We’ve got a delicate balance of performance and requirements on the team.”

As for the AOC, its spokesperson told The Herald Sun,  “The remarks are deeply concerning and represent a serious error of judgement.

“The AOC is working with Swimming Australia to gain further information before making any decisions. This includes meeting with the coach and affected athletes.”

Palfrey coaches at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC Spartans), whose team boasts Olympians Abbey Connor and Alexandria Perkins.

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Absolutely
3 months ago

Palfrey didn’t even say that he wanted Kim to win Gold. All he basically said was just some kind words and wishes Kim the best of luck, and he wants to see Kim standing on the podium WITH Short and Winnington. It’s just typical Aussie nervousness right before the biggest stage. ZSC made another controversial comment and media is all over him and the Dolphins. I see a big Aussie choke job and total melt down.

Min bus
3 months ago

Is there history with Palfrey and coach Tim Lane?

Nick the biased Aussie
3 months ago

This annoys me because it’s not an issue. Go Korea.

peter
3 months ago

An Australian hurdler Sasha Zhoya is running for France. He received Australian funding for years and was coached by Australian coaches. He now will compete for France. He even returns to Australia to train. Start sacking everyone involved here as well.

Troyy
Reply to  peter
3 months ago

He switched to collect them home games $$$. If he flops in Paris watch him try switch back for Brisbane.

Owlmando
Reply to  peter
3 months ago

Fr

Jessica
3 months ago

The Korean news never mentioned that Palfrey said he hoped WOOMIN would beat Sam or Elijah. When asked by reporters which athlete he supports more, he also avoided the question and said that he would rather see all three athlete stand on the podium together. To be honest. I think his words were more like a kind greeting to the Korean reporters.

https://n.news.naver.com/article/003/0012687061?sid=104

JonathanNC
3 months ago

Apparently it is acceptable that he is an Aussie coach who also works with a Korean swimmer. Showing support seems appropriate; maybe ‘Go Korea’ was not quite diplomatic. It seems about as important as adding the incorrect letter ‘e’ in the word “judgment”. In other words, bad judgment, but not a big deal. (just my opinion…)

Loz
Reply to  JonathanNC
3 months ago

In Australia we do use an ‘e’ in judgement, unless you’re talking about a court decision, which is a ‘judgment’. So it’s not a mistake.

Last edited 3 months ago by Loz
Owlmando
3 months ago

I don’t see the problem. Hes an athlete I coach. I get that I’m coaching AUS at the Olympic games, but context is everything. Athletes train in different countries all the time, its part of the sport and to be so upset about it feels pedantic to me.

Now I think it was a pretty smart move for bowman to coach for France. You think theyre up in arms about him supporting American athletes? No, because its nuanced.

Tbf I could see team USA reacting similarly – but on the other hand honestly, I also feel like American Swimming has enough of a grasp on the times to potentially not be so bothered by it either.

Joel
Reply to  Owlmando
3 months ago

Didn’t a lot of Americans complain last year when Bowman congratulated Leon and ignored Carson despite being a USA coach?

Owlmando
Reply to  Joel
3 months ago

Dang then i guess i rescind that part. Still, I think its perfectly reasonable to root for the athletes youre directly involved with- I don’t think its anything anyone should be offended by.

Just Keep Swimming
Reply to  Owlmando
3 months ago

This literally happened last year and Americans were furious

Thomas The Tank Engine
Reply to  Owlmando
3 months ago

If Bowman had been USA Olympic coach and he told reporters that he supported Marchand and France and yelled “Go France”

You can bet it would be Swimswam biggest ever meltdown and that Swimswam is sent invoice by servers host for causing servers to breakdown.

Owlmando
Reply to  Thomas The Tank Engine
3 months ago

You know what, youre probably right. I would still think sending bowman home would be unwarranted and unreasonable, albeit I’d concede his actions to be less than palatable.

I also think theres a big difference with Marchand and bowman, a multi event threat paired with a coach who coaches a plethora of swimmers on the national team, and this situation centered around 1 swimmer and one event. But I do think the crux, at its heart, is the similar. so, I’d expect uproar but I would still think its unfair to send him home.

I almost feel like the question was fishing for drama because you specifically asked the national coach with interest in an international swimmer. I dont… Read more »

NoFastTwitch
3 months ago

Is cannabis legal is Australia? Of course, maybe he’d just had one too many tinnie…

Just Keep Swimming
Reply to  NoFastTwitch
3 months ago

Medicinal marijuana is legal but heavily regulated. However, recreational is pretty similar to London: technically illegal but no one actually cares about it at all. The Government goes after the harder stuff pretty aggressively though

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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