China’s swim team wants an apology from Australian Mack Horton for launching a “malicious personal attack” on rival Sun Yang at the Olympics, Chinese media reported Sunday.
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However, Sun’s victory was marred by an online war between Chinese and Australian netizens, triggered by Australian swimmer Mack Horton’s psychological tactics against Sun.
“It is proof of a lack of good manners and upbringing”.
The Chinese Swimming Association has written to its Australian counterpart to demand an apology from Horton.
The two federations have been locked in a bitter dispute following Horton’s remarks – a reference to Sun’s secret three-month ban in 2014 for Trimetazidine – both before and after he dethroned Sun in the men’s 400 metres freestyle final. The stimulant was banned by World Anti-Doping Agency in early 2014 and has remained banned. It wouldn’t have felt right if I raced against someone who had tested positive and didn’t bring it up.
His fans bombarded Horton’s social media accounts with a wave of abuse in response to the Australian’s comments.
But it still may take time for change judging by FINA boss Cornel Marculescu’s decision to celebrate doping offender Sun Yang’s 200m freestyle win at the Rio pool.
Kasey Donahue tweeted, “sun yang looks like a descendants of the Sharks with those teeth”. The video has further prompted the creation of the hashtag #Sun Yang Don’t Cry on Weibo.
“You are too complacent and will die quickly”, read a comment on one of Horton’s Instagram posts.
Despite its extensive coverage, the Global Times closed its Australia-bashing op-ed by insisting that China should not care about the likes of Horton, or rate the opinions of Australians in general.
After his win on the opening night, Horton revealed his aggressive appraisal of Sun was a deliberate ploy to get into the head of his main rival, while at the same time defending clean athletes.
The Australian Olympic Committee said Horton was “entitled to express a point of view”.
“We do support our athletes and trust them that when they say things, they say them with respect and openness and transparency”.
Horton, whose mild manner and Harry Potter-style spectacles belie his toughness, said he knew that by calling Sun out hed put himself on the spot.
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The last word may not have been spoken in the dispute: Sun will face off against Horton in the 1,500m qualifying heat on Friday. “I’m clean; I’ve done everything it takes to prove I’m clean”.
