Australian swimming champion Mack Horton, known for his strong anti-doping stance and his memorable refusal to share the podium with China’s Sun Yang in 2019, announced the end of his career just months before the Paris Olympics.
In a statement, the 27-year-old, who clinched gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics and various world championships, expressed that the passion for swimming had faded. Despite his desire to compete in Paris, he acknowledged that the timing is right to step away, as he always aimed to give his best and didn’t want to merely participate.
Horton gained international attention when, at the 2019 world championships, he refused to shake hands with Sun Yang and avoided sharing the podium, reigniting a controversy from the Rio Olympics where he had labeled Sun a “drug cheat.” Sun received an eight-year ban for refusing doping test samples, which was later reduced on appeal.
While Horton’s actions garnered support in the swimming community, it also led to backlash in China, with his social media accounts receiving trolling and even death threats. Reflecting on his career, Horton expressed no regrets but mentioned that the years passed quickly.
Main image: Herald Sun
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