Chinese swimmer Sun Yang confronts British rival who refused to shake hands, pose for photos

Chinese swimmer Sun Yang yelled at a rival competitor as they stood on the podium Tuesday, then confronted the same competitor as they walked away.

Sun, who had just won the 200-meter freestyle event at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships in South Korea, appeared to be upset that British swimmer (and co-bronze medalist) Duncan Scott refused to shake his hand or pose for pictures with him.

As they left the podium, Sun doubled back, got in Scott’s face and appeared to be saying “I win, I win, you lose” as they exited the area, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

The sequence came one day after Australian swimmer Mack Horton refused to stand on the podium with the Chinese swimmer whom he has called a “drug cheat.”

Sun Yang gets in bronze medalist Duncan Scott’s face after the 200m freestyle medal ceremony (Sun won gold after Lithuanian Danas Rapsys was DQed for a false start). Scott and Sun did not appear to shake hands, and Sun shouted in Scott’s direction earlier in the ceremony. pic.twitter.com/0ilhiSorqt

— Nick Zaccardi (@nzaccardi) July 23, 2019

Sun has become a controversial figure in the swimming world after news outlets reported that he smashed a vial of his blood with a hammer following a drug test at his home in September. He was initially cleared of wrongdoing by the International Swimming Federation (FINA), but the World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed that ruling. Sun has asked for the Court of Arbitration for Sport to grant him a public trial this fall.

Sun previously served a three-month suspension for taking a banned heart medication, which prompted Horton to dub him a “drug cheat.” American breaststroke champion Lilly King said Horton received a standing ovation from athletes in a dining hall after he refused to take the podium with Sun on Monday.

“It was pretty great to see the athletes united on his stance and supporting him as well,” King said, according to The Guardian. “I don’t think anyone at FINA’s going to stand up for the athletes so the athletes have to stand up for themselves.”

Sun, 27, is a three-time Olympic gold medalist. He won the 200-meter freestyle Tuesday after Lithuanian Danas Rapsys was disqualified, marking the 11th world championship of his career.

Contact Tom Schad at [email protected] or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.

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