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Swimming Australia on Friday fired a member of its Olympic coaching staff after it said he caused serious reputational damage by supporting a rival South Korean athlete who was racing against his countrymen. Coach Michael Palfrey caused a stir when he said he hoped Kim Woo-min, whom he once coached, would win the men's 400m freestyle instead of two Australians. Head coach Rohan Taylor said Palfrey's actions were “un-Australian” but the team did not fire him at the time, saying it was too disruptive.
“Swimming Australia has terminated the employment of Michael Palfrey due to a breach of his employment agreement,” the governing body Swimming Australia said on Friday.
“Palfrey has breached his employment contract by bringing himself into disrepute and causing serious damage to his reputation and that of Swimming Australia, and by prejudicing the interests of Swimming Australia.”
Palfrey worked with Australian swimmers Zac Incerti, Abbey Connor and Alex Perkins.
But he also accompanied South Korean Kim when he trained in Brisbane in preparation for the Games.
Palfrey was wearing the Australian team colours when he was interviewed by South Korean journalists and asked about Kim.
“I really hope he wins, but ultimately I just hope he swims well,” Palfrey said.
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