Mack Horton refuses to share podium with Sun Yang after 400m final at swimming world championships

July 21 2019

 

VIDEO: Tensions were high as Mack Horton refused to stand next to Chinese swimmer Sun Yang (ABC News)

RELATED STORY: Swimming superstar Sun Yang has been called a drug cheat, but do the facts stack up?

RELATED STORY: Swim champ Horton takes another doping swipe at China's Sun Yang

Australian swimming star Mack Horton has signalled that his feud with China's Sun Yang is as bitter as ever, refusing to share a podium with Sun after the 400m final at the world championships.

Key points:

• Mack Horton called Sun Yang a "drug cheat" after beating him at the 2016 Rio Olympics
• Sun was handed a three-month doping suspension back in 2014
• Sun is currently facing allegations of doping violations that could result in a ban from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Horton finished second as Sun claimed a record fourth-consecutive 400-metres freestyle final in South Korea but when the time came to stand on the dais for the medal presentation, Horton stood behind it.

The Australian also refused to pose for photos with his rival, who was suspended for doping in 2014, but happily posed with Italian bronze medallist Gabriele Detti.

Asked what his overriding emotion was, Horton replied: "Frustration. I think you know in what respect."

PHOTO: Horton (left) called Sun Yang a drug cheat at the 2016 Rio Olympics. (AP: Lee Jin-man)

"I don't think I need to say anything.

"His actions and how it has been handled speaks louder than anything I could say."

Sun and Horton's war of words:

• No apology over Horton's Sun comments, Chiller says
• Chinese hackers 'may have attacked census over Olympics drugs spat'
• Swimming Australia website attacked after Horton's drug cheat remarks
• 'Sun Yang pisses purple': French swimming star joins doping criticism

Sun is currently facing allegations of doping rule violations that could result in a ban from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and he has requested a public trial at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in September to defend himself.

The World Anti-Doping Agency is challenging a decision by FINA, swimming's world governing body, merely to warn him over incidents during a doping control team's attempts to take blood and urine samples at his home in China last September, while allowing him to continue competing.

PHOTO: Mack Horton (left) stood behind the podium rather than share it with Sun Yang (centre). (AP: Mark Schiefelbein)

Sun said: "I am aware of the rumours that have been going around, but I try to just concentrate on my swimming and I will keep trying to put a lot of effort in my swimming."

The Chinese world champion said he was aware Horton has a problem with him.

"Disrespecting me was OK, but disrespecting China was unfortunate," Sun said.

"I feel sorry about that."

Sun's presence at the world meet has drawn the ire of some swimmers, including Horton, who is the only swimmer to beat Sun in the past eight years, taking gold in the 400m freestyle at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

PHOTO: Horton only posed for photos with bronze medallist Gabriele Detti. (Reuters: Kim Hong-Ji)

After that race, Horton called Sun a "drug cheat" for his three-month "secretive" doping suspension in 2014.

Do 'drug cheat' accusations stack up?

China's Sun Yang has faced accusations of being a 'drug cheat' by opponents and media. But, writes Tracey Holmes, the truth may be a little more complicated than that.

Horton's refusal to take the podium caught the eye of some of his former and current teammates.

"Absolutely awesome to see Mack Horton protesting clean sport by not getting up on the podium next to Sun Yang #cleansport," tweeted David McKeon, who swam the 4x200m relay with Horton in Rio.

Five-time Olympic gold medallist Melanie Wright wrote: "Congratulations Mack Horton — Olympic and now World champion; shame you won't get the gold medal for it #cleansport."