Mack Horton’s podium protest at world championships splits swimming

Swimmer Mack Horton has come under fire after launching an incredible protest after losing to a bitter rival at the world championships.

The gloves are off in one of swimming’s most bitter rivalries, with Australia’s Mack Horton protesting controversial Chinese star Sun Yang’s 400m freestyle victory at the world titles in South Korea.

Sun pipped Olympic champion Horton by 0.73 of a second to claim his fourth-straight 400m freestyle world title at Sunday’s opening night of the eight-day championships.

But Horton made it clear he was not happy Sun had been allowed to compete at the titles, refusing to stand on the medal podium with the three-time Olympic champion.

What started as a bitter rivalry may have escalated into an international incident after Sun accused Horton of disrespecting China.

Olympic champion Horton also refused to shake hands with Sun after being relegated to silver. It remains to be seen if Horton faces sanction from world body FINA over his protest.

HORTON ‘SHOULD ATTRACT HEFTY PENALTY’

Former Australian Sports Anti Doping Authority CEO Richard Ings called for a hefty penalty.

“I am no fan of Sun Yang. But he has served his suspension for a doping violation and he has been cleared by a FINA panel of refusing to provide a sample. Innocent unless and until proven guilty,” Ings tweeted. “Not standing on the podium with him should attract a hefty penalty.”

“Win, lose or draw you’ve got to be gracious and to not share the podium with someone who has just beaten you is a really big call,” Channel 9 sports presenter Tony Jones added. “But the bloke who beat him has a pretty ordinary rapsheet … their history is pretty bleak … (but) it’s a big call.”

Awkward scenes on the podium.

Horton made the bold statement after admitting he was unhappy that Sun had been allowed to compete at the world titles ahead of a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing in September that may end the Chinese star’s career.

The 10-time world champion will answer charges of smashing vials of his blood with a hammer during a clash last year with drug testers. According to reports, Sun was visited by three doping controllers in September last year — but only one was properly accredited.

He was filmed without his permission and noticed anomalies in the paperwork, leading to a four-hour standoff which ended with a security guard destroying the sample because Sun’s team had no faith in the process.

World swimming governing body FINA found Sun did not commit an anti-doping violation but the World Anti Doping Agency has appealed the finding.

Sun — who claimed a fourth straight 400m world title — faces a lifetime ban if found guilty by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Horton copped vile social media abuse while the Chinese swimming team demanded an official apology after he dismissed Sun as a “drug cheat” ahead of the Rio Olympics.

Their feud only escalated after Horton upset Sun — who served a three month doping ban in 2014 — to claim a shock 400m freestyle gold at the 2016 Games.

The reality always is a little more complicated... «Mr Sun Yang has not committed an anti-doping rule violation» according to the Panel... Prudence is needed, hopefully we will know more after CAS decision is issued... https://t.co/3qbQzXS0yG

— PJ Vazel (@pjvazel) July 21, 2019

SUN: ‘HE DISRESPECTED CHINA’

But it may pale in comparison to the fallout over Horton’s latest actions, with three-time Olympic champion Sun claiming his protest was an offence to China. “I was aware that the Australian athlete had dissatisfaction and personal feelings towards me,” Sun said via an interpreter.

“But it was unfortunate because disrespecting me is okay but disrespecting China was very unfortunate and I felt sorry about that.

“I’m aware of the rumours (about his alleged hammer attack). (But) I think this has been the greatest achievement in history for the Chinese (swimming) team.”

Sun Yang celebrates the win.

Asked how he felt after a gutsy silver-medal finish, Horton said: “Frustration is probably it.

“I think you know in what respect.”

Asked to describe his rivalry with Sun, Horton said: “I think you know what the rivalry is like.

“His actions and how it has been handled speak louder than anything I will ever say.”

AUSSIE COACH RESPECTS HORTON’S STAND

The Australian team’s reaction to Horton’s stance will no doubt further infuriate Sun with the Dolphins throwing their support behind the 23-year-old. Head coach Jacco Verhaeren claimed he had no prior knowledge of Horton’s protest but had no problem with it.

“That was his idea to do that. But let’s put it this way, I understand him very much,” he said.

“He has been very strong and vocal about this in the past … you can only respect him for what he does.

“Mack stands for what he stands for. Nobody can take that away from him, nobody should.”

Dolphins team leader Cate Campbell — another vocal critic of Sun in the past — championed Horton’s stand.

“I support clean sport and I support swimmers standing up for their beliefs and I think that Mack did an incredible job and we’ll take it as a win for Australia,” she said.

Silver medallist Mack Horton poses with bronze medallist Gabriele Detti.

World governing body FINA opted not to punish Sun amid claims the testers had not shown adequate identification but the World Anti-Doping Agency lodged an appeal to CAS.

Yet it didn’t stop Sun contesting the world titles, prompting outrage from swimmers, with American breaststroke champion Lilly King claiming it was “insane” the Chinese star had been allowed to compete.

Horton could at least take solace from his silver medal finish at a world titles that, by rights, he shouldn’t be contesting.

Horton failed to qualify for an individual event at last month’s world titles trials but was selected for the championships thanks to head coach Jacco Verhaeren’s discretionary powers.

Asked if he was back, Horton said: “Kind of — I am going in the right direction”.