Swimming Australia Dismisses Coach Michael Palfrey After ‘Go Korea’ Olympic Comments

by Retta Race 30

September 05th, 2024 Australia, International, News

With the Paris Olympic Games in the rearview mirror, Swimming Austalia has terminated coach Michael Palfrey‘s employment. Palfrey was the head coach of the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) Spartans club, where he counted among his athletes Olympians Abbey Connor and Alexandria Perkins.

Swimming Australia says 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.’

Although not specified in the statement, the breach most likely stems from the situation that we reported last month while Palfrey was on the nation’s Olympic coaching staff.

Prior to the start of the Games, Palfrey, who works with Korean 400m free ace Kim Woomin in addition to Dolphins at USC Spartans, said 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)

At the time Aussie head coach Rohan Taylor stated Palfrey’s words were ‘very disappointing.’

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

In the statement from Swimming Australia released today, 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 said.

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Facts
1 month ago

Soft

Dr. Swims
1 month ago

We gonna do this to Bob?

JimSwim22
Reply to  Dr. Swims
1 month ago

Bowman isn’t employed by the US Gov or by US Swimming.

Noah Fence
1 month ago

There’s gotta be more to this story

Captain Obvious
1 month ago

Go Korea!

Old School
1 month ago

Swimming Australia has gotten seriously soft if that’s what gets you sacked these days.

Future Uncertain / End is Near
1 month ago

When you consider how any number of high-profile coaches behave, yet *don’t* get dismissed/fired, it’s almost certain there is more to this story.

Theloniuspunk
1 month ago

The USC Trojans swim team needs to show up inside of a horse to one of the USC Spartans’ swim practices for a surprise swim battle over USC dominance.

saltie
Reply to  Theloniuspunk
1 month ago

Have the Gamecocks show up too just for good measure. Could get a USC upset

Awsi Dooger
Reply to  Theloniuspunk
1 month ago

The value of this article was learning what USC stands for in Australia. Maybe they can be recruited into the Pac 12

Future Uncertain / End is Near
Reply to  Awsi Dooger
29 days ago

Or additional expansion potential for the Big 10.

Happy Slappy
1 month ago

He will be a huge in demand international coach.

About Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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