Sun burned: Another swimming snub as Chinese gains promotion

Sun Yang was in the middle of controversy at the world swimming championships in South Korea again. Only this time, it wasn’t his doing.

The Chinese star with a history of doping still got shunned on the medals podium.

Sun won the 200m freestyle after Danas Rapsys, of Lithuania, finished first and was disqualified for an apparent false start. Sun touched second, but was elevated after Rapsys had already celebrated in the pool.

Sun appeared surprised, clasping his hands to his face, but quickly sat on the lane rope and raised both arms in the air as a mix of cheers and boos rang out.

Katsuhiro Matsumoto (Japan) took silver. Martin Malyutin (Russia) and Duncan Scott (Britain) tied for bronze.

On the podium, Scott wanted no part of sharing the moment with Sun.

Scott kept his hands clasped behind his back and refused to shake Sun’s hand, standing off on his own while the other medallists joined Sun to pose for photographers.

Sun, who served a three-month doping ban in 2014, is being allowed by governing body Fina to compete in Gwangju ahead of a Court for Arbitration in Sport hearing in September that threatens his career.

After Sun won the 400 free, silver medallist Mack Horton, of Australia, refused to step on the podium or acknowledge Sun during the medals ceremony. Fina sent warning letters to Swimming Australia and Horton for his actions.

“Fina has done more to reprimand Mack Horton than they have done to reprimand Sun Yang,” said American Lilly King, who won the women’s 100 breaststroke.

In a statement, Fina said its executive board met to discuss the situation involving Sun and Scott and decided to send warning letters to both.

“Both competitors had an inadequate behaviour on this occasion, which is not acceptable,” Fina said, citing a specific rule in its constitution.

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. “He does quite a good job of making sure everyone continues to know about it,” Scott said, referring to Sun’s pending doping case.

“So I guess that’s all I’ve got to say about that.”

Sun spread his arms apart and looked at Scott as the Brit turned to come off the podium.

“You’re a loser,” Sun told Scott. “I’m a winner.”

Sun and the other two medallists stopped for photographers on the pool deck, but Scott kept on walking.