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Phila Siu

China’s superstar swimmer Sun Yang accused Australian rival Mack Horton of using cheap tricks – labelling Sun a drug cheat – to disrupt his chances as the two clashed before, during and after the 400 metres freestyle final in Rio yesterday.
Defending champion Sun broke down in tears after losing the gold medal by a split second to Horton and the bad blood between the pair continued to flow into the media conference.
Sun’s loss capped a disappointing opening day for China with gold medal favourite Yi Siling also losing her crown in the women’s 10m air rifle.
Horton called Sun a drug cheat as the two clashed in training and repeated the accusation after the race.
“I used the word(s) drug cheat because he was tested positive,” Horton said. “I just have a problem with him testing positive and still competing.”
WATCH: Sun Yang bursts into tears following Rio 400m final loss

#CHN swimmer #Sunyang cries bitterly over losing gold medal in men's 400m freestyle #Rio2016https://t.co/zdi5iPmKqu
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) August 7, 2016

The controversial Sun, 24, has a lengthy rap sheet including a three-month doping suspension served secretly in 2014, for taking a banned stimulant that he said was for a heart complaint. It was not revealed by Chinese authorities until after the fact.
Sun insisted he was clean, saying: “I don’t think I need to explain myself any further. I have done what it takes to prove I’m clean ... all athletes should be shown respect.
“On the competition stage, every athlete deserves to be respected and there’s no need to use these sorts of cheap tricks to affect each other.”
Sun Yang outshone by Australian rival Mack Horton in men’s 400m freestyle Olympic final
The 20-year-old Horton, whose mild manner and Harry Potter-style spectacles belie his toughness, said he knew he had put himself on the spot by calling Sun out.
“That last 50 I was kinda thinking about what I said and was like, if he gets me here it’s not going to look great,” Horton said.
“So (I) really didn’t have a choice but to beat him.”

Horton celebrated after the race without even acknowledging Sun and the pair avoided looking at each climbing out of the pool.
Horton clocked 3 minutes, 41.55 seconds to hold off the challenge from Sun (3:41.68), with the bronze going to Italy’s Gabriele Detti (3:43.49).
Hurt feelings for China as they angrily deny swim star Sun Yang disrupted Aussie rival in practice
“Winning and losing are normal for athletes. No one can keep winning. I hope that I would adjust myself properly after this,” Sun said.
“My pace was actually not bad. I knew that (other swimmers) would try to swim fast in the first half to try to get me chasing them.”
Sun has not seen the last of Horton as the two will clash again in the 1,500m freestyle.
Sun is the defending champion from London 2012 and is considered untouchable at the distance.


Tensions between Sun and Horton were running high before the finals.
The Age reported earlier that the 1.98-metre Sun tried to disrupt his Australian rival by splashing water at him at a training session.
China’s swimming team manager Xu Qi has denied the reports, saying that Sun and the Australian swimmers are “very good friends”.
Golden moments on Day 1 at Rio Olympics


The last time China failed to win a gold on opening day was at the 2000 Sydney Games but they recovered to finish third in the final standings with 28.
While Yi could only finish third in her event, teammate Du Li won the silver. Du’s husband, Pang Wei, came third in the men’s 10m air pistol, while Sun Yiwen managed a bronze in the women’s individual epee.
Additional Reporting: AFP




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Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Sun shower: tearful Sun Yang accuses conqueror Mack Horton of dirty tricks after Rio loss

Gold medal winner Mack Horton of Australia celebrates with silver winner Sun Yang of China and Gabriele Detti of Italy. Photo: EPA

China's silver medal winner Sun Yang attends the ceremony for the men's 400-meter freestyle final during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

epa05460720 Gold medalist Mack Horton (C) of Australia poses with silver medalist Sun Yang (L) of China and bronze medalist Grabriele Detti (R) of Italy at the end of the men's 400m Freestyle final of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Swimming events at Olympic Aquatics Stadium at the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 06 August 2016. EPA/ESTEBAN BIBA

China’s Sun scorched over doping record after he cruises into 400m freestyle final

Sun Yang of China pumps his fist as he finishes first in his heat to qualify fourth overall for the Rio Olympics 400m freestyle final. Photo: Reuters


China’s Ye Shiwen competes in a heat of the women's 400m individual medley in Rio on Saturday. Photo: AP

Hurt feelings for China as they angrily deny swim star Sun Yang disrupted Aussie rival in practice

China's swimmer Sun Yang in Rio de Janeiro, a few hours ahead of the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Photo: AFP

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

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

(FILES ) This file picture taken on July 31, 2011 shows China's gold medalist Sun Yang holding China's national flag as he poses for photographers during the award ceremony for the final of the men's 1500-metre freestyle swimming event in the FINA World Championships at the indoor stadium of the Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai. The 31st Summer Olympics starts on August 5 in Rio, Brazil. / AFP PHOTO / MARK RALSTON

Sport

China

China’s superstar swimmer breaks down after being called a drug cheat and losing by a split second to Aussie rival in 400m freestyle final
