Caulfield Grammar's decision to leave the name of former student and Olympic gold medallist Mack Horton off its new aquatic centre has drawn widespread criticism.
The Sunday Age revealed that the school had intended to name the $25 million facility after the Olympic champion, but those plans had been scrapped in order to preserve its commercial interests in China.
The new Aquatic Centre at Caulfield Grammar School. Source: Facebook CGSCredit: Facebook CGS
A spokeswoman for Caulfield Grammar declined to comment on the decision to disassociate the pool from Horton. She said no decision had been made on the name of the pool, which remains generically known as the Caulfield Grammar Aquatic and Wellbeing Centre.
The decision followed fierce backlash stemming from Horton's refusal to share a medals dais at the FINA World Championships with Sun Yang, one of China’s most celebrated athletes.
Former track and field Olympian and Commonwealth Games silver medallist David Culbert said the decision sent the wrong message to students.
"I couldn't think of anyone better for the school to name the facility after. I would've thought he'd be the type of person all of the students look up to.
"We can debate the action that Mack took - which I didn't agree with because I think you have to respect the medal ceremony - but good on him for standing up for what he believes in.
"If the school was going to name the facility after him, but then decided not to because of that, it sends the wrong message to students - don't stand up for what you believe in if there's a cost involved."
"If everyone on the Australian Olympic team was like Mack Horton, you'd have a pretty good team."
Sun competed at the FINA championships shrouded by a doping cloud after a leaked report alleged he smashed blood samples with a hammer after being visited by testers last year.
He was cleared to compete at the championships - which sparked Horton's refusal to share the medal dais - but later appeared at the Court of Arbitration of Sport in Switzerland to defend himself against allegations. He is yet to learn his fate.
Former ASADA boss Richard Ings was highly critical of Horton's stance, but said there isn't anyone more deserving of the honour.
"At the time Mack made those comments and took that stance I was quite critical because at that stage Sun Yang had been cleared and every athlete should be given the benefit of doubt," Mr Ings said.
Australia's Mack Horton refuses to share the podium with Yang Sun at the swimming world championships in South Korea last year.Credit: AP
"That said, he's one of the most famous alumni from the school and it would be absolutely crazy not to name an aquatic centre after the greatest swimmer the school's had."
On Sunday, the school's Facebook page received an influx of disappointed posts with one user suggesting the decision flies in the face of its motto.
"If true, then Caulfield Grammar School’s decision in this article speaks volume about the school’s position on fair play - equal opportunity, education, ethics, sports ... the essence of Labora Ut Requiescas, school’s motto," the poster said.
Caulfield Grammar was the first Australian school to open a campus in mainland China and since 1998 it has sent groups of year nine students to its Nanjing boarding facility for a five-week, language and cultural immersion program.