Efimova tested positive for steroids in 2013 and was subsequently banned for 16 months.
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Yet her situation was complicated further earlier this year when Efimova was given a provisional ban after testing positive for meldonium.
Efimova refused to comment on her rivalry with King when questioned later, saying only: “I am sad that I could not win a gold for Russian Federation, but I am happy to have won silver”.
The race pitted American teenagers Lilly King and Katie Meili against Russia’s Yulia Efimova, the reigning world champion, and a symbol of her country’s doping scandal.
Later, when King also finished first in her heat, she raised her finger, mocking Yefimova.
Lilly King, left, has strong opinions about drug cheats.
“You know, you’re shaking your finger No. 1, and you’ve been caught for drug cheating, I’m just not a fan”, King said. “Obviously, just with all the doping and things going on the past year or two, I think it would be a really great moment for us”.
Gatlin is seen as the most serious challenger to Usain Bolt’s dominance in the 100-meters and will also compete in the 200-meter and the 4×100 relay.
The right way to become the best is arguably by becoming a viral sensation, which is what King inadvertently did. On national TV she explained what she was thinking – and she did it in no uncertain words.
Just imagine the possibilities!
Then, Efimova spotted her agent Anna Mitkova from across the room standing in the media room and she uncontrollably burst into tears accompanied by drone sobbing.
Initially banned from Rio, the 24-year-old won a last-minute appeal allowing her to compete, prompting protests from the Americans, including King, who said the Russian should have been banned.
King won the gold medal with an Olympic record time of 1:04.93 that was previously set by Leisel Jones of Australia (1:05.17) in 2008.
“I know so many strong confident women that live in IN that I think she represents us well”, she said.
“I do think it’s a victory for clean sport to show you can do it after competing clean all your life”, King said.
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“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”, he said.
