Rio 2016: Chiller backs Horton over Yang remarks

Australia's chef de mission Kitty Chiller says Mack Horton has no reason to apologise for comments made towards swimming rival Sun Yang.

Horton pipped Sun to gold in the 400 metre freestyle on Saturday but their preparations were disrupted as the pair reportedly clashed in the warm-up pool over Yang's doping history.

The Australian claimed that Yang - who served a three-month doping ban in 2014 - had been taunting and splashing him ahead of the final, but when asked about the incident Horton said he had no "time or respect for drug cheats".

Any thoughts that Horton may be made to say sorry by Australia's Olympic Team were refuted by Chiller, though, who stated no apology would be forthcoming.

"All our athletes have the right to express themselves," she told a media conference on Monday.

"Mack obviously has very strong views about the need for clean sport, as every single one of us does, and he has every right to express his views and his displeasure in that sense.

"We have no intention of making an apology."