Sally Pearson describes Mack Horton as ‘brave and courageous’ for protest against Sun Yang

Australian Olympic champion Sally Pearson has praised Mack Horton for his actions in South Korea, describing them as a ‘great step forward’ for athletes seeking to compete on a level playing field.

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Olympic champion Sally Pearson believes Australia’s Mack Horton has changed the future of world sport and how athletes stand-up to drug cheats.

Describing Horton as brave and courageous for refusing to shake the hand of controversial Chinese swimmer Sun Yang or stand next to him on the podium at the world championships in South Korea, Pearson’s powerful sentiment has been echoed by Australia’s greatest athletes including Dawn Fraser and Libby Trickett.

Australia’s Mack Horton refuses to join China’s Sun Yang on the medal podium at the world swimming championships on Sunday night. Picture: AP

“I stand behind him,’’ Pearson said of Horton’s stance.

“I salute him for having the courage and bravery to get up there and take a stand for clean sport.

“What he has done for the future of sport, for future generations is really quite incredible.

“I don’t even know whether I could do that.

“Major competitions, Olympics, world championships or Commonwealth Games, is a huge platform for us athletes to be able to communicate our beliefs and he did just that.

“I hope that is doesn’t penalise him for any future competitions.

“Because at the end of the day, we are the entertainment.

Champion hurdler Sally Pearson says she supports Mack Horton’s decision to protest against Sun Yang. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“We are the athletes out there, putting ourselves and bodies on the line and when we’re not in a fair environment with competition, it is frustrating.

“So to be able to try and take a step forward for the athletes rights and to be able to race or compete fairly, then it’s a great step forward.’’

British swimmer Duncan Scott repeated the protest after finishing third to Sun in the 200m freestyle event, causing the Chinese swimmer to erupt with rage and call him a “loser.”

Horton has long been critical of swimming authorities for allowing the Chinese star to compete after serving a three-month suspension in 2014 for testing positive to a banned stimulant, and last year smashing a blood vial during a dispute over the process of a random drug test.

Scottish swimmer Duncan Scott, left, refuses to join Sun Yang (centre) on the podium on Tuesday night. Picture: AP

FINA released a statement on Monday night that confirmed not only Horton but also the national body would receive a warning letter despite Swimming Australia claiming it had no prior knowledge of his protest.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph at Wednesday’s 12-months to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics launch, Fraser, widely-regarded as one of Australia’s most-celebrated Olympians, praised Horton while admitting she also wouldn’t have stood alongside Sun on the podium.

“We all know Sun Yang has a court case to go through in September, but if it were me, I wouldn’t be allowed to swim in these championships and I think that’s what should have happened with Sun Yang,’’ Fraser said.

“Of course, you’ve got to prove yourself not guilty, but at the moment we all know that he’s done something wrong by taking drugs.

Sally Pearson and legendary Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser at an event in Sydney on Wednesday to mark one year to go until the Tokyo Olympics. Picture: Getty Images

“A lot of the swimmers over the last 15-years have been wanting a clean sport, we had a lot of trouble with the East Germans when they were swimming, but we want a clean sport and we’re all fighting for that.

“I’ve got to stand behind Mack for what he’s done.

“I don’t think I would’ve (stood on the podium).’’

Trickett agreed with Pearson that Horton’s actions will reshape how rival athletes react to competing alongside renowned drug cheats.

“I was actually really proud of him as not only as an Australian, but also as a former athlete myself,’’ Trickett told the ABC.

“I think it was incredibly brave of him to sort of take such a prominent stance against doping athletes and to try and create a cleaner sport for the world of swimming.

“It was, obviously, it is controversial and those sort of things are always going to be, but at the same time, I also think it was quite respectful. It was a very silent protest.

“He was just taking a stand for his beliefs and I think you will find that almost 99 per cent of Australian athletes are 100 per cent in support of what he did.’’