Olympics legend Dawn Fraser backs protests against 'drug cheat' Sun Yang as swimmers unite for a clean sport
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Another gold medal to Sun Yang at the swimming world champions and yet another podium boycott during the medal ceremony by one of his competitors.
Key points:
- Dawn Fraser has supported those who have protested against Sun Yang at the swimming world championships
- The Olympics legend expects more protests against the Chinese swimmer at the meet
- Fraser has called on the governing body to "clean up the sport"
While the actions of Mack Horton and Duncan Scott have been met with both support and condemnation, Australian swimming great Dawn Fraser has backed the pair for making a stand.
"I support both swimmers because we've been saying we want a clean sport and it's not happening," Fraser told the ABC.
After victory in the men's 200-metres freestyle final,Scott refused to share the podium with the controversial Chinese swimmer.
Scott's actions follow that of Horton, who on the opening night of competition staged the first protest against Sun after he finished second to him in the men's 400-metres freestyle final.
Sun, who served a drug ban in 2014, is currently under investigation for allegations of doping rules violations which could see him banned from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
However, he was cleared by the sport's governing body, FINA, to take his place in the world championships, currently being held in South Korea.
"We all know Sun Yang is guilty of taking drugs," Fraser said.
"He's got his court case coming up in September — FINA should've had enough guts to say 'you can't swim in these championships until you go through court'.
FINA forced to respond
The latest incident involving Scott and Sun saw FINA issue a warning to both swimmers for "inadequate behaviour".
Horton, as well as Swimming Australia, were also issued with a written warning.
"While FINA respects the principle of freedom of speech, it has to be conducted in the right context," the statement read.
"As in all major sports organisations, our athletes and their entourages are aware of their responsibilities to respect FINA regulations and not use FINA events to make personal statements or gestures."
Fraser said had she been in the same situation as Horton and Scott — competing against a swimmer who is a convicted "drug cheat" — she too would have protested.
"I probably would have done the same because I'm like that," Fraser said.
Fraser wants actions, not words
Fraser has now called on the world anti-doping agency, WADA, and FINA to come together to fix what is a blight on the sport — particularly during such a significant international meet.
"We want FINA to do the right thing by the swimmers," she said.
The four-time Olympic gold medallist expects protests to continue against Sun at the world championships.
Fraser also said that Sun is entitled to a fair trial, but said he shouldn't have been able to compete until his hearing is settled at the court of arbitration for sport.