‘I’m concerned for him’: Fears for Horton’s safety after death threats

Former Olympic gold medallist Giaan Rooney says she has genuine fears for Mack Horton’s safety after crazed Sun Yang fans flooded his Instagram account with thousands of hateful messages.

Mack Horton refused to share the podium with Sun Yang. Picture: Getty

• Horton hit with warning letter over podium protest
• International row after Horton ‘disrespects China’
• Horton refuses to share podium with drug cheat
• Titmus warned: You just p***ed off the GOAT

Mack Horton has been receiving death threats from Sun Yang’s crazed fans after the world’s best swimmers all sided with the Australian over his brave, silent protest against the drug-tainted Chinese national hero.

Horton’s Instagram account has been flooded by thousands of hateful messages and threats against him and his girlfriend after Sun escalated their personal feud into an international incident by accusing the Australian of insulting the whole of China.

The insults have added a frightening edge to what was a peaceful and dignified demonstration from Horton but the global swimming community has let him know they have his back after he was given an emotional standing ovation at the athlete’s village after Sunday night’s 400m freestyle final.

Mack Horton refused to share the podium with Sun Yang. Picture: Getty

“We were kind of waiting around for that awards ceremony to see what was going to happen and yeah it was awesome,” American breaststroker Lily King said.

“When we walked into the dining hall, he walked in after us and like the whole dining hall erupted in applause.

“It was pretty great to see the athletes united on his stance and supporting him as well.”

Olympic gold medallist Giaan Rooney says she has genuine fears for Horton’s safety.

“The amazing thing for me is that Mack has stood by his feelings of using a silent protest to advocate for clean sport, which I highly respect his stand,” she told SEN.

“The one thing that I’m concerned about is that after he made a very similar stand at the 2016 Olympics in Rio about Sun Yang, there were threats to his safety and his family’s safety. “And that’s why I’m concerned for him now.”

Veteran Australian backstroker Mitch Larkin said Horton’s protest was a watershed moment for a sport that has been dogged by doping scandals for years.

“While he was standing alone on the podium, he’s not standing alone in spirit,” Larkin said.

“Ninety-nine per cent of the athletes here support what he does. We are all fighting for a clean sport.”

Sun and Horton have been going at each other’s throats for years, most famously at the 2016 Rio Olympics when Horton called his rival a drug cheat then beat him to win the 400m gold.

Sun had secretly served a three-month suspension for testing positive to a banned stimulant and further questions are being asked about him after The Sunday Telegraph’s exclusive publication of a confidential report showing how he escaped punishment for smashing his own doping samples with a hammer before they could be drug tested.

An appeal has been lodged with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland but Horton won’t be sanctioned for his refusal to join Sun on the podium after Sunday’s medal presentation.

American backstroker Ryan Murphy said all elite swimmers were frustrated by the way the sport’s world governing FINA and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) dealt with doping issues.

“I think it’s really good that he feels comfortable to stand up for those in this case, not necessarily standing against Sun but more so standing against FINA and WADA for their response to these things,” Murphy said.

“I don’t necessarily know FINA and WADA’s motives. If I knew that then I think we could probably plan out an effective way to protest.”

King’s been a vocal critic of FINA for years after they allowed Russian swimmers to compete at the Rio Olympics after an investigation unearthed proof of state-sponsored doping.

Mack Horton during his silent protest. Picture: Getty

She wanted Sun banned from the world championships so hopes Horton’s actions will encourage other swimmers to take a stance.

“I don’t think anyone at FINA’s going to stand up for the athletes so the athletes have to stand up for themselves,” she said.

“I think it’s definitely a start and if we start taking a stand against doping then maybe they’ll listen.”

Sun’s presence at the world championships has been heavily criticised so his lawyers have asked that his appeal to CAS be held in public so “he can clear his name.”

CAS Secretary General Matthieu Reeb told The Daily Telegraph via email that the request matter was under consideration.

“We have indeed read in the media that Sun Yang intends to request a public hearing at CAS,” Reeb wrote.

“Following the Pechstein ruling at the European Court of Human Rights, the CAS has changed its rules in order to allow such requests for public hearing (disciplinary matters only).

“But first we should see Sun’s request in order to determine the implications on the hearing date and location. Obviously, we should also consult the other parties before confirming such public hearing.”