In an editorial post titled "Smug Aussie swimmer won't cloud Rio", the Global Times praised the Chinese Swimming Association's call for Australia to force Horton to apologise for his "rude and irresponsible words" as a show of "the unity of Chinese society and the people's human touch" and lashed out at Australia's "aberrant" response:
"From China's perspective, Australia, an English-speaking and developed country, is a typical part of the Western world. But actually, Australia has always been a "second-class citizen" in the West, and many people from Western Europe, especially the UK, feel condescension toward Australians.
"Australia used to be a land populated by the UK's unwanted criminals, and this remains a stigma attached to Australian culture. Eager to be completely accepted by the Western world and afraid of being overlooked, Australia has grown docile and obedient in face of the US and the UK.
"However, in front of Asian countries, it cannot help but effuse its white supremacy. The tangle of inferiority and superiority has numerous reflections in Australia's foreign exchanges.
"We don't have to take seriously the tinge of barbarism that comes out of some Australians, nor should we pay keen attention to some vindictive provocations. "
The editorial followed up the lashing on a calmer note, urging China to ignore the entire episode and concentrate instead on its own path of development: "This trifling botheration won't ruin our beautiful memories of this grand event."
Australia's Daily Telegraph weighed in with an editorial titled "Our clean machine fights dirty dopers" and the Australian Olympic Committee defended Horton's comments.
Source : www.telegraph.co.uk/
