David Gray/Reuters
Russian swimmer Yulia Efimova got a cold reception during the women’s 100-meter breaststroke in Rio on Monday night, from both fellow swimmers and members of the audience. Twenty-four-year-old Efimova, who has been suspended from competition twice for doping offenses, won a legal battle last week to get herself back into the Rio Games after many Russian athletes were banned for systemic doping. But not everyone was happy to have Efimova in the pool. Before going on to claim a gold medal and beat Efimova, 19-year-old American swimmer Lilly King made it clear she didn’t think athletes guilty of “drug cheating” should be allowed to compete. Audience members apparently agreed, as Efimova was met with loud boos when taking her place before the race. King, who set a new Olympic record time of one minute 4.93 seconds, coldly avoided any contact with Efimova after the race, telling reporters her win “just proves that you can compete clean and still come out on top.”