Australia swim star Mack Horton reignites Sun Yang ‘cheat’ controversy by saying Rio doping jibe was justified

Horton tore into China’s Sun Yang in Brazil two years ago after robbing him of his Olympic 400 metres freestyle title, sniffing: “I don’t have time or respect for drug cheats.”

The 21-year-old, currently preparing for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, had been asked about Sun and South Korean Park Tae-hwan, who had both previously tested positive for banned substances.

His comments sparked fury from Chinese journalists who confronted Horton at his victory press conference, demanding to know why he had used such frank language.

The swimmer was savaged by Chinese sports fans and press, and his remarks even triggered a diplomatic row between the countries, with Chinese state-run media calling Australia a “second-class citizen” of the West.

But Horton, whose mild manner and Harry Potter-style spectacles belie his toughness, insisted he would not back down if a similar situation arose at the Commonwealth Games.

“Not at all, I don’t think I’d change a thing,” he told reporters. “I guess I’m proud of how I handled myself in Rio.”