Sun can’t get a rise: controversial Chinese swimmer fails in attempt to rile rival in Rio warm-up

Chinese swim king hasn’t altered his approach to his competitors after a run-in with a rival during a practice session yesterday

Reading Time:1 minute

Controversial Olympic swimming champion Sun Yang is making more friends in Rio. Photo: AFP

Published: 12:36pm, 4 Aug 2016Updated: 3:51pm, 4 Aug 2016

It seems Chinese swim king Sun Yang won’t be altering his abrasive approach to his competitors in the pool in Rio after media reports surfaced claiming Sun attempted to get a rise from Aussie rival Mack Horton during a practice session yesterday.

The 1.98-metre Sun attempted to disrupt Horton’s session by splashing water at him as the pair came together two days before they are set to meet in the 400m event, reports The Age.

Yang is the poster boy of Chinese swimming despite the controversies that have marked his career. Photo: AFP

Sun is no stranger to this type of controversy and most recently was cleared of wrongdoing after a similar poolside altercation with a Brazilian female competitor during a warm-up session on the last day of the world championships in Kazan. Sun later pulled out of the world championships complaining of heart pain.

For his part, 20-year-old Horton, who set the benchmark 400m time earlier this year, refused to rise to Sun’s bait and be ‘lured into any mind games’.

Five Chinese Olympians to watch in Rio

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x