Australian swimmer Mack Horton has fallen victim to cruel abuse and death threats from Chinese fans after his drug cheat rival Sun Yang was banned from the pool for eight years.
Sun, a three-time Olympic champion, was on Friday found guilty of refusing to cooperate with sample collectors during a visit to his home in September 2018.
The 28-year-old’s entourage allegedly smashed vials containing his blood with a hammer to avoid being tested.
Horton famously protested against Sun – who was convicted of doping in 2014 – at the World Championships in South Korea in July 2019.
The 23-year-old was frustrated Sun was able to compete despite cheating allegations and the impending Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing.
In the wake of CAS’s decision, Sun’s fans have directed their anger at the young Australian by leaving cruel comments on his Instagram.
‘Mack Horton jumped out first to insult Sun Yang. It’s really impolite. Does he think he is a god who knows all the truth?’ one comment read.
Australian swimmer Mack Horton has fallen victim to cruel abuse and death threats from Chinese fans after Sun Yang was banned from the pool for eight years. Pictured: Horton protests against Sun in 2019 by refusing to stand on the podium
Horton’s latest Instagram post (pictured) has been inundated with comments from angry Chinese fans in the wake of Sun’s ban
‘Are you happy that your old opponent has been banned? You finally don’t have to take the runner-up, you see you are born to have only the life of garbage,’ another said.
‘You still can’t beat Sun Yang in eight years, shame on you.
‘It’s unfair okay? The gold medal will never be yours.’
Sun’s fans have directed their anger at the young Australian by commenting on his Instagram
A number of commenters who jumped on Horton’s Instagram used the poo emoji
Horton protested against Sun amid frustrations the Chinese athlete was able to compete despite cheating allegations and the impending Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing
A number of commenters used the poo emoji while other Sun fans delivered their messages in Chinese characters.
A series of translated comments said Horton’s ‘mum is gone’.
Horton was also told to ‘rest in peace’ and one translated comment asked when the 23-year-old would ‘die’.
‘Do you think you will succeed in this way?’ an additional translated comment read.
Despite the hate, Horton’s social media has also been flooded with support following Friday’s guilty verdict.
‘Congratulations on your gold medal from the 2019 WAC that should now be rightfully awarded to you,’ one wrote.
Sun’s fans commented on Horton’s Instagram page with hate in both English and Chinese characters
Despite the hate, Horton’s social media has also been flooded with support following Friday’s decision. ‘Congratulations on your gold medal from the 2019 WAC that should now be rightfully awarded to you,’ one wrote. Horton is pictured with his girlfriend Ella Walter
‘Congratulations! I knew that you are good guy, support from Hong Kong,’ commented another.
An additional said: ‘I’m sorry, everyone. Comments don’t represent all Chinese. I respect the verdict.’
At the World Championships last year, Sun narrowly beat Horton to claim his fourth-straight 400m freestyle world title.
Horton accepted his silver medal but did not stand on the podium alongside Sun as the Chinese national anthem played – nor did he pose for photographs with his rival.
British swimmer Duncan Scott followed suit after the 200m medal ceremony, also refusing to stand on the podium with Sun or pose for a picture afterwards.
In ugly scenes that followed, Sun gestured wildly at the British swimmer and said: ‘You’re a loser, I’m winning yes.’
Horton and Sun’s long-standing feud began ahead of the Rio Olympics in 2016 when Horton labelled the Chinese swimmer a ‘drug cheat’.
In an interview with Sunday Night last year, Horton said athletes need to stand up for a clean sport.
Horton and his girlfriend Ella Walter were also bombarded with abuse on social media following the protest last year
China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported on Friday Sun will ‘definitely’ appeal the CAS decision. ‘This is unfair. I firmly believe in my innocence,’ Sun was quoted telling the publication
Speaking to the smashing of vials, Horton said: ‘I wouldn’t do what he did. I don’t think many athletes would do what he did’.
Horton said his opinion of Sun was not personal but rather reflective of the standards athletes are expected to meet.
‘Not at all [personal]. This isn’t a China Australia thing. This isn’t a China versus the world thing,’ Horton explained.
‘This is a principle and the way the sport is governed and controlled.’
Horton and his girlfriend Ella Walter were also bombarded with abuse on social media following the protest last year.
China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported on Friday Sun will ‘definitely’ appeal the CAS decision.
‘This is unfair. I firmly believe in my innocence,’ Sun was quoted telling the publication.
‘I will definitely appeal to let more people know the truth.’
At the World Championships last year, Sun narrowly beat Horton to claim his fourth-straight 400m freestyle world title. Pictured: Horton and his girlfriend