Mack Horton’s parents say there’s only one group they’ll say sorry to

THE Hortons know it’s time to apologise – but it won’t be to drug cheat Sun Yang or even a furious Chinese public.

THE Hortons know it’s time to apologise – but it won’t be to drug cheat Sun Yang or even a furious Chinese public.

The father of Aussie swimmer Mack Horton, who has sparked a new debate about drugs at the Olympics after publicly calling out his competitor’s drug violations, says the family wants to say sorry for the thousands of abusive social messages his comments have drawn.

“We probably just need to apologise to every Horton who has a name like Mack – because they have really copped a fair shellacking over the last couple of days,” Andrew Horton said.

Mack Horton's parents Andrew and Cheryl Horton outside the Olympic Aquatic Centre in Rio. Picture: Alex Coppel

Mr Horton said he was proud of his son for shining a spotlight on such an important issue.

“I think it’s very much a general conversation that’s going on among all parents and competitors and officials,” he said.

Mack’s comments have provoked a furious response from the Chinese swim team and saw state media editorialise yesterday that Australia was “a country at the fringes of civilisation” and reverenced our “early history as Britain’s offshore prison”.

“This suggests that no one should be surprised at uncivilised acts emanating from the country,” said The Global Times Newspaper.

Australia's Mack Horton shakes hands (awkwardly) with Sun Yang. Picture: Phil Hillyard

But while the Chinese have been outraged, an international roll call of Olympians has applauded his stand.

Mr Horton said while it was vital the issue was addressed the reaction had been overblown.

“I think we all just need to pause and catch our breath and just remember that this is a swimming race up and down a 50m pool,” he said.

“Let’s not forget this is a swimming race, its nothing more than that, it’s not world diplomacy.”

Mack’s comments were shortly before his 400m freestyle final with Yang, and he went on to take gold. The pair face off again during Saturday’s 1500m showdown and Mack’s dad said rather than distracting him, the controversy would probably help his son in the pool.

“You can chose to opt in and opt out of social media, and it’s as simple as switching off. He’s come to Rio to swim and to race and to give it his very best and that’s all he’s focused on,” Andrew Horton said.

“He’s aware of it but he’s got no interest in it – he’s switched off his phone.

“If anything it will probably just pump him up a bit more.”