When American swimmer Lilly King proved victorious over her Russian rival Yulia Efimova on Monday evening in the 100-meter breaststroke, the victory was more than just a display of strength over an opponent: it was a validation of everything King had worked for as she defeated a bitter, cheating rival.
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King, who beat her Russian rival to win gold, was among a number of competitors who have shared their frustration that Efimova, who was banned twice for doping, has been allowed to compete at the Games in Rio at all. -Soviet tensions that prompted the two superpowers to boycott each other’s Olympics.
“A lot of people have said a lot of things about her”, Mitkova told USA Today.
“This is another round, but I think we will survive it”, he told Reuters in an interview.
Russian Federation argues it is taking steps to clean up sport and is being singled out for political reasons.
That’s exactly what 19-year-old Olympic swimmer Lilly King did Monday night, and the internet is loving it. But King did just that, then didn’t back down and did not try to hide her ill feelings toward Efimova, one of the central figures in the Russian doping scandal.
Salnikov said the American was entitled to her opinion, but noted that Efimova had been cleared to compete last week by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the highest appeal tribunal, and was therefore fully entitled to take part.
“Does she consider the CAS decision is wrong?” he asked. But the Russian responded angrily: “I would really like to encourage my fellow athletes to understand my problems and not let politics into it.I always thought the Cold War was long in the past”.
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King’s swim in the 100-meter breaststroke Monday night in Rio earned her a gold medal.
“Efimova has been through a very severe ordeal, and in an atmosphere of distrust and uncertainty I think she showed very strong character – resilience and focus – and so I think she deserved her medal”, said Salnikov.
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“I once made a mistake and served my ban”, she said, referring to the 16-month suspension incurred after testing positive for a banned steroid. Earlier this year, she tested positive for meldonium, leading to another ban that meant she wouldn’t swim at the Rio Olympics. “She is not a criminal and she competed because she was allowed to compete”.
