RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – American Lilly King has her sights set on winning Olympic gold and she’s not about to let anyone get in her way, especially world champion breaststroker Yulia Efimova of Russia.
Efimova is being allowed to compete at the Rio de Janeiro Games following a 16-month suspension for doping and despite another positive test this year for the now-banned substance meldonium. The 24-year-old Russian is a flashpoint in her country’s doping scandal because of her two infractions.
She and King will square off in the 100-meter breaststroke final Monday night, swimming next to each other. King qualified fastest for the eight-woman final in 1 minute, 5.70 seconds, justly ahead of Efimova’s time of 1:05.72.
Efimova’s positive test for meldonium was placed on hold while world anti-doping officials conduct further studies on the drug.
“If that’s what she feels she needs to be able to compete, whatever, that’s her deal,” King said. “I’m here to compete clean for the U.S. and that’s what I’m going to do.”