Lilly King wins Olympic swimming gold, taunts Russian rival on doping

“You’re shaking your finger “number one” and you’ve been caught for drug cheating”, she had told reporters on Sunday.

On Monday night, Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu, known as the “Iron Lady”, added another gold medal to her collection in the 100-meter backstroke.

King’s call-out of Efimova and her own finger wag drew lots of reaction on social media. Another American, Katie Meili, came in third to collect bronze, with a time of 1:05:69.

Russian swimming chief Vladimir Salnikov said on Tuesday the atmosphere surrounding his team at the Olympics reminded him of the Cold War, and criticised American breaststroke champion Lilly King for attacking the integrity of her Russian rival.

King set an Olympic record to win gold in the 100-meter breaststroke. “It’s the best I can do right now”.

Meanwhile, Ryan Murphy continued America’s tradition of excellence in the men’s 100 backstroke, beating a loaded field to win gold in an Olympic-record 51.97 seconds Monday night, the second-fastest time in history.

“I think it just proved that you can compete clean and still come out on top”, King said of her win.

With the additional comments about Gatlin and Gay, King is showing she wasn’t simply making a fuss as part of a USA-Russia rivalry.

There had appeared to be some aggravation between King and Efimova in the build-up to the final.

The Russian was asked if she believed it was fair that she gets to compete and Russian runner and whistleblower Yulia Stepanova is not allowed.

King has become a cult figure in the US, where her battle with Efimova was portrayed as the latest in a line of US-Russia “grudge matches”.

The first question went to Efimova, who took a big gulp of blue Powerade and paused before answering.

The other two gold medal races were the men’s and women’s 100m backstroke finals, the events which Aussies Mitch Larkin and Emily Seebohm – who happen to be dating each other – were favourites after winning gold in those events in Kazan at the world championships previous year.

Efimova also wasn’t the most popular Olympian.

“I swam against dopers”, Looze said.

If the race itself was nail-biting, the aftermath was excruciating given King had stoked the flames beforehand, speaking out against the inclusion of Efimova after she successfully appealed a ban imposed for past doping suspensions. I don’t know what’s going on in Russian Federation.

Lilly King, left, has strong opinions about drug cheats. Michael Phelps backed King’s stance, saying “It’s kind of sad that today in sports in general, not just in swimming, there are people who are testing positive and are allowed back in the sport, and multiple times”. They said, “OK, honey, just do your best and we’ll get ice cream afterwards”.

As the USA swimming team wins more gold at Rio, swim star Michael Phelps will have to prepare himself for the men’s 200m butterfly final, which he qualified for, but came in at second place of his heat.

“Right now I’m really happy after all the stuff that has happened because I’m here racing”, the 24-year-old said.