China's swimming team at the Olympics has hit back at Australia's gold medalist swimmer Mack Horton for calling his Chinese counterpart a "drug cheat," seeking an immediate apology, abc.net reported.

Mack Horton and China Sun Yang were competitors in the 400m freestyle swimming event at Rio Olympics, with Horton claiming gold medal and Yang ending up as a runner-up in the event. After the event, Horton said that he had problem with athletes who have tested positive but were still allowed to compete.

Like Us on Facebook

Horton's harsh comment was in reference to the fact that Yang served a three-month ban in 2014 after testing positive for a banned substance.       

In response, China's swimming team issued a statement in defense of Sun Yang, calling Horton's comment a "malicious personal attack" on Yang.            

"We have been noticing what has been said in the past two days by Horton, who launched a malicious personal attack [on Chinese swimmers]," team manager Xu Qi told China's state media Xinhua. "We think his inappropriate words greatly hurt the feelings between Chinese and Australian swimmers............ we strongly demand an apology from this swimmer."

Yang took a potshot on Horton, both of whom will again compete in the men's 1,500m freestyle event on Sunday. "In 1,500m I am the king," Yang told Channel 7 when asked if could defeat Horton in the event.

Australia Stands Behind Mack Horton        

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) hast issued an official statement in defense of Horton.

"Mack is entitled to express his point of view," the statement said. "He has spoken out in support of clean athletes. This is something he feels strongly about and good luck to him."    

Tension had been brewing between Horton and Yang in the build-up to 400m freestyle event. Chinese swimmer reportedly splashed water in the face of Australian swimmer during a training session.

After the training session, Horton said Yang "splashed me to say hello, and I didn't respond because I don't have time for drug cheats."

TagsMack Horton, Sun Yang, Rio Olympics 2016, 400m Freestyle Swimming Rio Olympics