'Disgusting' sledge that came back to haunt Sun Yang
Duncan Scott has welcomed the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision to ban Sun Yang for eight years after he was on the receiving end of a ‘disgusting’ sledge from the Chinese swimmer.
The British star followed in Mack Horton’s footsteps at the 2019 world championships and refused to share the podium with Sun after the 200m freestyle final in South Korea.
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That prompted an angry response from Sun, who told Scott ‘you are a loser, I am a winner’.
“I fully respect and support the decision that has been made and announced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” Scott said of the eight-year ban, according to Swimming World.
“I believe in clean sport and a level playing field for all athletes and I trust in CAS and WADA to uphold these values.”
Scott said he wasn’t sure whether he’d be awarded a silver medal he lost to Sun at the world champs.
“It’s out of my hands. That’s sort of like everything else in swimming, it’s out of my hands what other people are doing. It’s not something I particularly follow and it’s not something I’ve been thinking about,” he said.
“I choose to focus on myself and what I can do.”
Sun was slammed for his ‘disgusting’ actions at the time.
There honestly couldn’t be a worse role model in Sun Yang for young swimmers - absolute disgrace. https://t.co/SgKqIQyQbs
— Brad Lynch (@BradleyJamesL10) July 23, 2019
Absolutely disgusting behaviour from Sun Yang this evening towards Great Britain’s Duncan Scott. I am shocked, that’s the worst sportsmanship I have seen in the sport of swimming. Rebecca hit the nail on the head, that really was disappointing. #Gwangju2019
— ellie (@elsbethroper) July 23, 2019
Disgusting behaviour from Sun Yang ! I hope HE gets a warning from @fina1908 !! https://t.co/2j3FxTljys
— Ruth (@meadfamily1) July 23, 2019
Sun Yang should be banned for that behaviour, he kicked off even before the medals were presented. Calling a fellow competitor a loser is not a great example to future generations. It is not about where you are from, it is way you handle yourself!
— Matthew Senior (@mcsnr5) July 23, 2019
Swimming Australia to lobby for Horton’s gold
Swimming Australia have vowed to fight for Mack Horton to be awarded Sun gold medal from the world championships after being accused of ‘sitting on their hands’ in the face of the controversy.
The criticism prompted a response from Swimming Australia late on Monday, with chairman John Bertrand vowing to approach FINA about the issue once Sun has exhausted his right to appeal.
“On the basis the appeal is dismissed we will certainly be making representations with FINA to reconsider the issue of Mack’s medal from the world championships,’’ Bertrand told The Age.
“If his appeal is dismissed, we will certainly be championing this issue with FINA.”
SA chief executive Leigh Russell said she would attempt to garner support from other swimming bodies.
“In the coming days and weeks we will take the opportunity to talk with our counterparts and also our athlete and coach leaders about the issues currently being raised regarding FINA and its systems, processes and governance, including their ability to reallocate the world championship medals,’’ she said in a statement.
“Following these discussions we expect conversations will be taking place between the federations and FINA on these critical issues.
“Right now, our focus is firmly on supporting our athletes in their preparation for Tokyo.”
FINA ‘open’ to taking Sun’s medals
On Sunday FINA vice-president Matt Dunn said the governing body was “open” to taking further action against Sun.
“I think the option [of stripping Sun of his medals] will be open,” Dunn told The Sydney Morning Herald.
"We supported the judgment of the FINA doping panel, and consequently we support the decision of the CAS.
“Really we wean to ensure the WADA code is enforced as best we can in order to ensure a drug-free playing field for clean athletes.”
