'Serious error of judgement': Huge call looming as Aussie coach under fire for 'go Korea' comments

Australian chef de mission Anna Meares has revealed a decision on Michael Palfrey's future as a coach for the swimming team will be made after training on Thursday.

Tensions boiled over inside camp after Palfrey's bold poolside interview, with Tom Decent from The Sydney Morning Herald claiming the Dolphins coach had been issued a "please explain" after endorsing a rival team.

Palfrey is one of eight coaches on the Aussie swim team at the Olympics but also works with rising South Korean talent Kim Woo-min.

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The Herald reports that after conducting a training session with the Aussies earlier this week, Palfrey gave a poolside interview to South Korean media in which he allegedly said he "really hopes" Kim can win the 400m freestyle on Sunday - a race that also features Australian swimmers Sam Short and Elijah Winnington.

"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".

The SMH reports Palfrey was spoken to by Dolphins head coach Rohan Taylor on Wednesday and now Meares has revealed a decision is imminent.

"This is conflict and a serious error of judgement," she said.

"Any decision that we make two days out from the start of the Dolphins campaign needs to have the athletes in the conversation.

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"Swimming Australia head coach Rohan Taylor will be having those conversations after training finishes today, in order not to disrupt the athletes. Clearly, whatever decision is made will be about the best decision of the athletes.

"Rohan and I did meet and speak with Michael and he understands the impact of his comments and his decisions. Any decision we make will be based on minimising the disruption to the athletes.

"The fact that he's commented about the athlete winning against the Australian team, that's the bigger issue."

The report from the Herald claims a directive was given to Aussie swim coaches in March to end any association with non-Australian athletes before the Games.

An AOC statement branded the comments from Palfrey as "deeply concerning".

The 400m men's freestyle will be the first swimming final of the Games.

"It's been a very collaborative approach from the coaches in Korea and myself in Australia," Palfrey allegedly said.

"I'm very good friends with the Australian coaches and swimmers but I have really enjoyed coaching Kim as well."