Geoff Huegill says Mack Horton should not apologise for Sun Yang drug cheat barb

STICK to your guns Mack. That’s the message from Geoff Huegill, who is staunchly supporting Australia’s Rio swim sensation Mack Horton in the face of fire from irate Chinese fans.

Silver medallist Sun Yang of China and gold medal medallist Mack Horton of Australia.

STICK to your guns Mack.

That’s the message from double Olympic medallist Geoff Huegill, who is staunchly supporting Australia’s Rio swim sensation Mack Horton in the face of fire from irate Chinese fans.

Huegill, the retired Aussie swim star, says Horton has no need to apologise for his ‘drug cheat’ barb that has caused an international firestorm on social media.

Horton sledged Sun Yang by calling him out for a previous drugs ban before beating him for gold in the 400m Olympic freestyle final on Saturday.

Speaking on Fox Sports News on Monday morning (watch the video above), Huegill strongly stood by the bespectacled 20-year-old from Melbourne.

“It was just an awesome swim, he really took it to Sun Yang,” said Huegill, who won a silver and a bronze at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

Silver medallist Sun Yang of China and gold medal medallist Mack Horton of Australia.

“Look, even I’m starting to get heckled on social media too, by all the Sun Yang supporters, obviously wanting an apology from Mack.

“But with Mack, the facts are the facts, right?

“He shouldn’t have to apologise for things that Sun Yang has done wrong.

“That’s the reality of it.”

The Australian Olympic Committee also issued a statement in support of Horton, backing his right to speak out in the fight for clean sport.

“Mack is entitled to express a point of view,” it read.

“Under the Team Values ASPIRE the E stands for express yourself, that is his right.

“He has spoken out in support of clean athletes.

“This is something he feels strongly about and good luck to him.”

Horton and Sun will clash again in the 1500m freestyle this week in what will be must-see viewing.

Asked whether he would be able to turn the tables, Sun told Channel 7 on Sunday: “In 1500m I am the king.”

News Limited writer Jon Ralph also reported that Rio golden girl Catherine Skinner “slapped down a Chinese journalist” who had been offended by Horton’s sledging.

”I don’t know about the story or the context of what has happened,’’ responded Skinner, a shooter who won Australia’s third gold in Rio on Monday morning.

“I don’t agree with drug cheats or anything like that.

“We are here to try to compete at the best of our ability without assistance from other methods.

“The reason (drugs) are banned is for your health, but unfortunately I can’t really comment.”

Originally published as Geoff Huegill says Mack Horton should not apologise for Sun Yang drug cheat barb