At the 2019 Gwangju Swimming World Championships in South Korea, the men's 400m freestyle competition, Sun Yang won four consecutive championships, and Australia's Horton once again became the "millennium second". At the post-match award ceremony, Horton refused to take a picture with Sun Yang on the podium, and he wanted to humiliate Sun Yang in this way, but the boos of the audience showed that he was humiliating himself.
On 22 July, FINA issued a statement warning the Australian swimming regulatory body and Horton.
People's Daily published a commentary article on the 24th that "not going to the podium can only make Horton look shorter.". According to the article, if the bird does not care for its feathers, it may destroy the wings on which it flies.
In 2015, 18-year-old Mark Horton had an amazing performance in his debut world series, and has been successful in the field for many years since then. As an athlete who has participated in many World Series, Horton should understand that winning and losing is a normal thing.
This game unfortunately lost to Sun Yang, who was in good shape, and won the silver medal, which was only a small setback at most, and there was no need to be so childish. If he really questions Sun Yang's achievements, he can have dialogues, can appeal, and have many channels, but now he uses his strength to not accept awards, not to take photos, slander others, etc., which are behaviors that lower his own personal design, so that people can't see a little bit of the arrogance that sports stars should have, which can be described as smart and mistaken.
Netizens have also accused Horton of insulting sportsmanship and showing an image of no grace, no etiquette, and no level. The British "Daily Mail" bluntly called Horton's rude behavior "rude snubbing". Former Australian Anti-Doping Agency chief Executive Richard Incess even argued that Horton should be heavily fined.
The World Championship Arena is a stage for strength competition, and in the end, it is still necessary to rely on strength to speak. Horton, who refused to be on the podium, seemed to be playing a stubborn boy: "You all say I lost, but I think I am the champion." 」 As everyone knows, not going to the podium can only make yourself look shorter.
(Intern Editor: Liu Qi)