Australian swimmer Horton warned against Sun's podium

GWANGJU, South Korea: Australian swimmer Mack Horton has been warned by FINA after snubbing his Chinese rival Sun Yang on the podium after the final of the 400 freestyle world.

Horton refused to step on the top of the podium for the photos after the medal ceremony in Gwangju, as doping charges swirled around Sun.

The highly visible event revived their ranks at the Rio 2016 Olympics, where the Australian called Sun a "drug cheater" after a previous doping ban before placing him in the front row.

"The FINA Executive (…) has decided to send a warning letter to Swimming Australia and Mack Horton," said the Federation's Board of Directors.

"Although FINA respects the principle of freedom of expression, it must be conducted in the right context.

"As in all major sports organizations, our athletes and their entourage are aware of their responsibility to abide by FINA rules and not to use FINA events to make statements or personal gestures," he said. he adds.

Sun, who has always protested his innocence after the three-month suspension he has served in 2014, is again under a cloud of doping after the release of a report from the FINA Doping Committee that reportedly disclosed information that he allegedly broke blood samples with a hammer after being visited by testers last year.

FINA authorized Sun to compete, but the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed this decision to the Lausanne-based Sport Arbitration Tribunal (TAS).

"The issue on which Mack Horton allegedly protested is under review by CAS, and it is therefore inappropriate for FINA to prejudice this hearing by commenting further," said the statement. FINA.

Horton, who won the silver medal behind Sun in the 400m, could still face Sun in the 800m freestyle.

The two men will participate in qualifying on Tuesday morning, but not in the same heat.

Swimming Australia expressed support for Horton Tuesday in reaction to the FINA warning.

"Swimming Australia respects Mack Horton's position at the medal ceremony and understands his frustration," said CEO Leigh Russell.

"We are very proud of the performances of our dolphins in Gwangju up to now and wish to allow them to focus on their races for the rest of the competition."