Swimming's image hurt by Sun protests, FINA warns after rule change

Heated podium protests targeting Olympic star Sun Yang had hurt swimming's image, the chief of the sport's world body told AFP, prompting tighter rules that could see athletes repeating them stripped of medals.

As doping allegations swirled in Gwangju, South Korea, Australian Mack Horton and Briton Duncan Scott refused to shake Sun's hand on the podium after losing to him moments earlier.

"We want to be involved in sport, not politics," Cornel Marculescu told AFP, after the body this week rushed out updated guidelines that will cover all athletes swimming at FINA meets.

"We put it (the clause) in to be sure we have a ... base if anything like this happens," in the future said Marculescu.

The new rules require athletes to "actively participate in the full conduct of the competition including victory ceremonies", warning they may be stripped of their medals or face a ban if they fail to comply.

FINA did not provide details on the bans athletes would face.

"They shall strictly avoid any offensive or improper behaviour towards the officials, the other competitors, the team members and/or the spectators during the entire conduct of the competition," the new clause says.

"Any political, religious or discriminatory statement or behaviour is strictly prohibited," it adds.

- 'Inadequate' behaviour -
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Both Sun and Scott were reprimanded by FINA over their fiery exchange after the triple Olympic champion retained the 200 metres freestyle world title and yelled at the Briton: "You're a loser -- I win!"
"I stand behind them both completely because it's what's right. When you go around smashing vials, it's not right. You shouldn't be in the sport at all."