Phelps once said that at least one athlete in the finals he swam was a drug user, so he could understand the frustration shown by Horton and Scott. On the other hand, he also questioned the impact of the two athletes' extraordinary behavior.
Phelps made it clear: 'I'm glad someone came forward to express their views, but in the end, only fina can really change all this. After these ongoing drug tests and after these disputes, what do people think of swimming? When international swimming association changes people's views, maybe they will take action. Everything is under their control. "
Although the establishment of the swimmers' League gives athletes more say, Phelps doesn't like personal protests like Horton and Scott. He wanted to know whether the two athletes had poor personal performance because they paid too much attention to Sun Yang.
'when you put your energy into those things, you'll be taken out of the swimming pool. I know very well that other athletes use performance enhancing drugs instead of relying on their own efforts, which also makes me very depressed. Athletes should devote themselves to training and do what can make them champions, not take shortcuts. I don't waste time and energy focusing on others and what they are doing, which is beyond my control. " Phelps said.
At the same time, Phelps also mentioned the famous American female swimmer babashov, who publicly claimed that East German athletes used stimulants at the 1976 Olympic Games. Later, her suspicion proved to be correct, 'I believe Shirley babashov doesn't want to stand next to the East German team to accept the silver medal. There was no change 40 years ago and now. That's what I really tangle about. Fina can do something, but they refuse to do it. This is frustrating. "