- Australian swimming coach said he expects Korean swimmer to win gold
- Two Australian swimmers will swim in the same race
- The coach has been asked to explain his strange comments.
An Australian Olympic swimming coach has landed himself in hot water in Paris after telling Korean media he expected champion Kim Woo-min to beat Australian duo Sam Short and Elijah Winnington.
The Australian Olympic Committee has asked coach Michael Palfrey to explain himself after he made the explosive comment in a poolside interview with South Korean television reporters on the eve of the Paris Games.
Palfrey, who is the Dolphins’ coach and also works with Korean champion Kim Woo-min, said he wanted the rising talent to win gold in the men’s 400m freestyle on Saturday, a race that will feature Australians Sam Short and Elijah Winnington.
“I really hope he (Woo-min) can win, but ultimately I really hope he swims well,” Palfrey said, according to the 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 tight. It’s going to be tough. The guys are going to be right there.
“There will be three or four of them in the race who think they can win. I think it will all come down to those last 100 metres.
Australian swimming coach Michael Palfrey (pictured right) is in hot water after saying he expects a Korean swimmer to win gold against a pair of Australians.
Palfrey told Korean television reporters he expected world champion Kim Woo-min (pictured) to beat Australians Sam Short and Elijah Winnington in the 400m freestyle.
“We need Woo-min to step up, that’s what I’ll tell him. He has to compete hard.”
The coach reportedly ended the interview by saying, “Let’s go Korea,” while wearing his Australian team jersey.
SMH reports that Swimming Australia has been made aware of the comments and head coach Rohan Taylor has spoken to Palfrey about the matter.
The Australian Olympic Committee has also been informed of the comments.
It was reported that a directive was given to Australian swimming coaches earlier this year to cut ties with non-Australian swimmers ahead of the Games.
Palfrey is the Dolphins’ coach, but also works with Woo-min, who will face Sam Short (pictured).
“It’s been a very collaborative approach between the coaches in Korea and myself in Australia,” Palfrey reportedly said.
‘I’m very good friends with the Australian coaches and swimmers, but I also really enjoyed coaching Kim.’