Comments by USA swimmer Lilly King describing Efimova as a drug cheat set up a tense clash in Monday’s 100 breaststroke final, in which the American defeated the Russian, followed by an awkward news conference.
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The 19-year-old King probably wasn’t trying to make an worldwide statement when a camera caught her wagging her finger Sunday night after she watched Russian rival Yulia Efimova wag hers just after winning her heat to make it to the finals.
After winning silver in the 200m breaststroke, the 24-year-old Russian said: “What would she say about Michael Phelps?”.
King has earlier criticised Efimova making it clear she didn’t think the Russian belonged in the pool after serving a 16-month ban in the wake of a 2013 positive test and a positive test this year for meldonium.
“She is outspoken about following the rules and doing it the right way”, King’s father Mark told CNN’s Chris Cuomo on “New Day”.
“We have some tough young kids in our team and I think that is something special”, he told reporters in Rio.
After winning silver in the 200m race Thursday night, Efimova chose to deflect King’s criticism to, of all people, the fan favorite of the entire Olympics.
After the win, King was asked if her previous statements about Efimova could be considered a statement on behalf of the United States and other athletes. “That we can still compete clean and do well at the Olympic Games, and that’s how it should be”. Her teammate Katie Meili won third at 1:05.69. King supported Horton’s comments. King said she never considered congratulating Efimova.
“It’s very sad and I’m upset that some athletes don’t believe that [I am clean]”. She was also asked about her thoughts on Justin Gatlin, a USA sprinter who has served two doping bans, and said, “Do I think someone who has been caught for doping should be on the team? It kind of breaks what sport is meant to be and that’s what p****s me off”, he added.
Russian Federation initially submitted 389 athletes for the Rio Games, and only 271 were approved to compete by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
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Efimova’s move to draw Phelps into a doping controversy will no doubt rile the American camp, who have been vocal in condemning drug cheats at these Games.
