Efimova saw the victory in the semis, which prompted the 19-year-old American to speak her mind to the media. She’s done so with talent, principles and candor.
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“So if she was wishing to be congratulated, I apologize”.
Below from Twitter is King wagging her index finger Dikembo Mutomobo style at a television showing Efimova gesturing that she was No. 1 after winning her 100-meter breaststroke semifinal.
The 19-year-old from IN was asked about fellow American and 2004 gold medalist Justin Gatlin, who has twice been suspended for doping but will be competing IN track and field at the Rio Games.
King had always been critical of Efimova after she served a 16-month ban for using banned substance Meldonium.
While King has made headlines by saying she’s not a sweet girl and will speak her mind, Efimova is doing her best to stay afloat and tell her side of the story as well.
Anway, I think it could be possible Yulia Efimova is really just Dee testing out a new character!
“I think it’s sad that we have people in sports today who are testing positive not only once, but twice, and still having the opportunity to swim at these Games”, said the 23-time medal victor. IU and Bloomington should be very proud of her.
As the most-medaled Olympian ever, Michael Phelps says, letting cheaters back in the game “just breaks what sport is meant to be and that pisses me off”. She claimed she had stopped taking meldonium before it was outlawed but the drug was still in her system, and she was allowed to compete after the Internationl Swimming Federation lifted the ban after advice from the World Anti-Doping Agency who are further researching the drug.
“You’re shaking your finger for number one and you’ve been caught for drug cheating”.
Veteran American swimmer Dana Vollmer also let rip when asked about Efimova.
Efimova initially held her emotions in check after King beat her to the line and celebrated wildly alongside her. Efimova was tested in 2013 and traces of the anabolic steroid were found in her system.
King didn’t think that was right. “I basically said what everybody else was thinking so they (other swimmers) were glad I spoke out and had the guts to say that”.
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Sun, who was banned for three months in 2014, bounced back to win the men’s 200m freestyle title a day later, but then came under attack from French swimmer Camille Lacourt who came fifth in the 100m backstroke. “They have nothing to do in sport, I am disgusted to see athletes who have cheated on the podium”.
