Australian Team Chef de Mission Anna Meares has confirmed that Michael Palfrey, who backed South Korean Kim Woo-min to win the 400m free on day one at the Olympics this Saturday, will continue to be part of the Dolphins coaching team following a recommendation by head coach Rohan Taylor.

It was a close call. Taylor noted: "After extended conversations, with athletes, the athlete leadership group, and coaching staff we have made the decision for Michael to stay. It is not one we have taken lightly and I stress this is an ongoing discussion for when we return home."

Palfrey is one of eight coaches on the Australian swim team at the Olympics in but also works with Kim and got into hot water when he told Korean media he'd be cheering on his foreign charge for gold ahead of Aussie title contenders San Short and Elijah Winnington.

The Herald in Australia reported that Palfrey gave a poolside interview to South Korean media this past week in which he allegedly said he "really hopes" Kim can win the 400m freestyle this Saturday.

"We need Woo-min to lift, that's what I'll be saying to him. He's got to race tough," Palfrey reportedly said before ending the six-minute interview with, "go Korea".

Cue cry of 'what about our boys!'? Palfrey was forced to apologise for an oversight Taylor described as "un-Australian".

At the Australian press conference today, Taylor noticed rules brought in this year aimed at dissuading Australian coaches from inviting foreign swimmers to training Down Under in the build-up to the Paris Games.