Former Student Kim Woo-min Cheered, Then Criticized; Australian Swimming Coach Ultimately Fired

Reason for Dismissal: 'Breach of Employment Contract'
Criticized for Praising Kim Ahead of the Olympics

Ahead of the opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Michael Phelps, the coach of the Australian swimming team, who faced severe backlash from his home country after supporting his 'former student,' South Korean national swimmer Kim Woo-min (Gangwon Province Office), has ultimately been dismissed.

On the 6th (Korean time), the Associated Press reported that Swimming Australia officially announced the dismissal of Coach Phelps. The reason given by Swimming Australia for the dismissal was "breach of employment contract."

Australian swimming team coach Michael Phelps, who coached South Korean national swimmer Kim Woo-min, is being interviewed by Korean media at the La D?fense swimming pool in Paris on July 23 (local time).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Coach Phelps gave an interview to the Korean press at the La D?fense swimming pool in Paris on July 23, just before the opening of the Paris Olympics swimming events. He has a connection with Korean swimmers, including Kim Woo-min, having coached them during the Australian training camp for the Korean national swimming team earlier this year, organized by the Korea Swimming Federation. The men's 400m freestyle swimming event at the Paris Olympics, in which Kim Woo-min competed, was also a medal-contending event for Australian swimmers such as Elijah Winnington and Samuel Short.

During the interview, when asked by the Korean press, "What do you think if Kim Woo-min, Winnington, and Short all stand on the podium?" Phelps replied, "That would be the best scenario," adding, "I would be very proud. I really hope Kim Woo-min wins." After the interview, when the Korean press thanked him, he responded with "Korea fighting (Go Korea)."

In the finals of this event at the Paris Olympics, the gold medal was won by Lucas Martens of Germany, while Australia's Winnington took silver, surpassing Kim Woo-min. Kim Woo-min created a miracle in lane 1 and earned the bronze medal. Meanwhile, another Australian swimmer, Short, finished fourth, behind Kim Woo-min.

Australian media and Swimming Australia harshly criticized Phelps' supportive remarks, considering them an act of "defection." The Australian media took issue with their national coach expressing favorable comments about a competitor, Kim Woo-min, and Swimming Australia responded sensitively by investigating the relationship between Coach Phelps and Kim Woo-min. At the time, Rohan Taylor, the head coach of the Australian swimming team, said, "I was very angry when I heard Coach Phelps' remarks," adding, "The decision regarding Coach Phelps will be made when he returns to Australia, and for now, we will focus on the Olympic competition." Although Phelps was not expelled from the Paris Olympics venue, he eventually left the Australian team after the Olympics concluded.

Swimming Australia stated, "Coach Phelps' interview caused serious damage to the reputation of Australian swimming and had a negative impact," but also added, "However, his coaching qualifications will remain intact."