This summer, the swimming pool of the 2019 FINA World Championships has been a saddening scene.

In Gwangju, South Korea, China’s champion swimmer Sun Yang clashed with Britain’s Duncan Scott on the medal stand of the men’s 200m freestyle. Bronze medalist Scott refused to share the podium with Sun, leading to Sun shouting at Scott, “You’re a loser, I’m a winner.”

That was the 2nd podium protest against Sun during this year’s world championships. Before Scott, Australian Mack Horton refused to stand next to or shake hands with Chinese swimmer Sun who beat him in the men’s 400m freestyle. Horton has long accused of Sun being a "drug cheat." Sun was banned three months in 2014 for testing positive for trimetazidine which he used to treat his heart problem for years and failed to report for a therapeutic exemption to the anti-doping authorities when the drug was put in the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) banned substance list in 2014.

Following the podium incident, the swimming event’s governing body FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) sent warnings to both Sun Yang and Duncan Scott.

“The FINA Executive met today in Gwangju to analyse the situation occurred during the men’s 200m free victory ceremony and has decided to send a warning letter to athletes Duncan Scott (GBR) and Sun Yang (CHN),” FINA’s statement read.  “Both competitors had an inadequate behaviour on this occasion, which is not acceptable in accordance with the FINA Constitution Rule C 12.1.3.”

Constitution rule 12.1.3 says that “Any Member, member of a Member, or individual member of a Member may be sanctioned for bringing the sport into disrepute.” Possible sanctions appear to begin with a warning; then another offense would lead to a fine; then another a suspension; and finally expulsion.

The warning sent by FINA has sparked discussions on the Internet. On Weibo, China’s twitter-like platform, some supported FINA’s reaction, as objectively, Sun Yang’s behavior was inadequate. Other netizens understood Sun’s reaction after being protested by Scott. Another netizen’s comment won many hearts: We accept the warning letter, but Sun’s attitude shows that Chinese people are not afraid of taking on challenges and letting their real abilities speak for themselves.