Australian Olympic swimming coach Michael Palfrey will stay with the staff after he mentioned he hoped South Korean swimmer Kim Woo-min beats his Australian rivals to Olympic 400m freestyle gold in Paris.
On Thursday the Australian Olympic Committee launched an announcement to say Palfrey made a “severe error of judgement”.
Chatting with South Korean media, Australian Palfrey, who along with being one of many coaches on the Australian staff additionally works with Kim, mentioned: “I actually hope he can win, however in the end I actually hope he swims properly.”
Following a dialog with Australia head coach Rohan Taylor, who deemed Palfrey’s actions “extraordinarily disappointing”, the choice to maintain him on board was to keep away from threatening athlete welfare.
“We took the time to contemplate the 2 choices – for Mick Palfrey to remain, and for him to be despatched residence,” Taylor mentioned in an announcement.
“After prolonged conversations with athletes, the athlete management group, and training employees we have now made the choice for Michael to remain.
“It’s not one we have now taken calmly and I stress that is an ongoing dialogue for after we return residence.”
Palfrey doesn’t work with Australia duo Sam Quick and Elijah Winnington, who’re contenders alongside present world champion Kim, for the 400m freestyle gold medal.
He coaches three Australian swimmers on the Olympic staff, however has additionally been working with different South Korean swimmers who, like Kim, have educated in Australia.
In April, Swimming Australia advised Olympic staff coaches to not begin new preparations with international swimmers, with it not unusual for coaches to work with swimmers from completely different nations on a contract foundation.
Australian Workforce chef de mission Anna Meares mentioned Palfrey’s feedback have been a “shock and a shock” however helps the choice, saying the ultimate consequence was based mostly on “high-performance and wellbeing”.
The boys’s 400m freestyle occasion will happen on Saturday.
