Brit Duncan Scott stages second podium protest against drug cheat Sun Yang at the World Championships
British swimmer Duncan Scott has pulled a Mack Horton by refusing to stand next to Sun Yang after he won gold in the 200m freestyle at the World Championship in South Korea last night.
Sun was given the gold by default after Lithuanian Danas Rapsys was controversially disqualified for moving on the blocks.
When the medal ceremony took place, bronze medallist Scott, above far right, stood on the dais for the anthems then stepped aside and refused to shake hands or be in photos with the Chinese swimmer.
Walking ahead of Scott, Sun doubled back and got in his face, raising his arms and pointing his finger and appearing to say: “I win, I win, you lose.” Scott didn’t react to anything Sun said, simply walking off.
The protest was a show of solidarity for Aussie swimmer Horton, who won silver behind Sun in the 200m freestyle on Sunday and stood behind the podium when the medals were awarded.
Sun, who served a three month doping ban in 2014, has a Court of Arbitration in Sport hearing pending where he is accused of smashing vials of his blood with a hammer during a clash last year with drug testers.
Sun has been accused of smashing vials of his blood with a hammer during a clash last year with testers, and faces a lifetime ban if found guilty.
Sun appeared to gesture at Scott on the podium and again after they walked off. Sun and the other two medalists stopped for photographers on the pool deck, but Scott kept on walking.
After Sun won the 400 free, silver medalist Mack Horton of Australia refused to step on the podium or acknowledge Sun during the medals ceremony. FINA, swimming’s governing body, sent warning letters to Swimming Australia and Horton for his actions.
Sun, the current Olympic champion in the 200 free, earned his third straight medal in the event at worlds and second gold in a row.
He was timed in 1 minute, 44.93 seconds.
Without defending champion Katie Ledecky in the field, Simona Quadarella of Italy won the 1,500 freestyle in 15:40.89 - well off Ledecky’s world record of 15:20.48.
Earlier Tuesday, the American star withdrew from the final because of unspecified illness. Ledecky also dropped out of the 200 freestyle heats.
Sarah Kohler of Germany earned silver and Wang Jianjiahe of China took bronze.
In the women’s 100 backstroke, Kylie Masse of Canada won in 58.60 seconds.
Minna Atherton of Australia took silver and American Olivia Smoliga earned bronze.
Kathleen Baker of the U.S., the world record-holder, tied for sixth after being tied for the lead at the turn.
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