“You’re shaking your finger number one and you’ve been caught for drug-cheating”. Efimova’s actions and punishment were more severe – she missed 16 months for doping and tested positive this year for the now-banned substance meldonium. It’s not often that viewers see Olympic athletes speak so openly against their opponents, so King’s words have definitely become widespread.
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Russia’s Yulia Efimova celebrates winning a semifinal of the women’s 100-meter breaststroke during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Not only that, King backed up the finger wag by besting Efimova’s time in her own heat. She won her heat, edging Efimova, 1:05.70 to 1:05.72.
King’s Mutombo-like finger wag made her Twitter famous on Sunday night, as fans watching the games reacted to the feud between two of the favorites for Monday’s final. Sandwiched between them was Efimova, who reportedly heard boos from the stands during her preliminary heat; the 2015 World champ had been previously battling both the International Olympic Committee and the international governing body of swimming for the right to compete in Rio after the Russian doping scandal and her prior positive tests put her eligibility in jeopardy. The Russian men’s 4×100 freestyle relay was also booed when introduced for their final the same night. And the dispute between King and Efimova has the potential to grow as the two compete for a medal Monday night. When the AP pressed her on criticism from rival swimmers and coaches, she smiled and walked away. She finished 26th overall and failed to advance to the semifinals. “I mean, I was insane the last half-year and just don’t understand what’s going on and everything”.
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2012 Olympic champion Ruta Meilutyte, who lives in the United Kingdom but represents Lithuania, advanced in fourth place with her time of 1:06.44.
