Andrew Laming (Bowman, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to support 400-metre swimmer Mack Horton, who declined the Guangzhou podium yesterday in a landmark gesture of defiance and a call for clean, fair sport. This has nothing to do with nationalism. This is related to the facts on the table. While it is technically before the courts due to FINA's long delays in resolving it, the reality is clear: one swimmer, already banned and serving a three-month secret suspension, on 4 September last year refused to submit to a test and, in the presence of his mother, a doctor and a guard, smashed his blood vials with a hammer when he was advised not to by the Swedish tribunal members by phone. This is all before the courts, but what has been denied is a great athlete's chance to stand on the podium in his career because someone has refused to submit a blood sample and has tampered with a blood sample. These details are irrevocable. My message to Mack Horton is: you are our world champion in waiting. Justice delayed is justice denied. You have support from every corner of the world in your stand, and, however it is resolved, like the many Australians before you denied their greatest moment by those who haven't played by the rules, our thoughts are with you.