Later, in a press conference with Yefimova next to her, King again took a jab, saying, “It was so incredible, winning a gold medal and knowing I did it clean”.
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Efimova served a 16-month suspension, returning 18 months ago only to test positive for meldonium earlier this year. She said Sunday it was “unfortunate that we have to deal with these things in this sport”, and that she accepted but disagreed with the ruling allowing Efimova to swim.
King’s public fight has inspired her coaches to speak even more strongly, both in her defense and against drug cheats.
“Oh, my gosh, just so happy”, King said of the hug she shared with Meili.
And he applauded King as much for what she did speaking out as what she did in the pool. “Kerri Walsh Jennings is absolutely on fire and just relishing every single moment here at the Olympic Games”. “And I’m very sad that now, many athletes don’t understand this and simply watch TV and believe everything that is written and shown on TV.They don’t try and trade places with me and understand what I feel now”. I’m not this sweet little girl, that’s not who I am. The Russian men’s 4×100 freestyle relay was also booed when introduced for their final the same night.
Indiana University freshman and Evansville native Lilly King claimed the gold medal in the 100-meter breaststroke Monday night. King’s performance clocked in at 1:04.93, while Efimova’s was at 1:05.50. “A level playing field would be preferred”, she said. Finally, as the two were picking up their credentials at the side of the deck, King gave her rival a quick pat on the shoulder.
“I think everything happens for a reason, and I am beyond thrilled with a bronze medal, so that’s all I have to say”, Meili said, taking the high road.
It was in contrast to the celebrations of China’s Sun Yang, another swimmer targeted by his peers for past drugs transgressions.
The source of the feuds is suspensions handed down to Efimova and Chinese swimmer Sun Yang, who served 3 months in 2014 over a banned heart medication. He did not acknowledge him in the water, though they shook hands during the medal ceremony.
Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams were in action on Monday and despite a slow start, the Team USA men cruised to a 113-69.
“Do I believe that people who have been caught for doping offences should be on the team?”
“That was probably going to be my hardest swim of the week, so I’m glad it’s over with”, she said. “That’s kind of the best situation”.
But then FINA, swimming’s world governing body, decided without explanation the night before the competition to allow Efimova into the Olympic meet, despite ties to the current Russian doping scandal. Asked about the post-race splash in Efimova’s lane, she said, “I think I just floated over that way”.
Coventry beat Ustinova and King defeated Efimova. Having won four gold medals in 2012, the former queen of American swimming finished last in her 200m freestyle semi-final and failed to make the final.
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The silver went to American Kathleen Baker.
