US Swimmer Lilly King Wins Olympic Gold, Calls Out Dopers: ‘I Did It Clean’

The Russian doping scandal was a controversial storyline coming into the Rio Olympics, and one that U.S. swimmer Lilly King was determined to remind people of now that the Games are in full force.

King brought home the gold medal in the 100-meter breaststroke Monday, beating out archrival Yulia Efimova, a Russian swimmer whom she had called a drug cheat the day before.

Beyond her “speed and ability,” King said she hoped she’d made a statement to the world that athletes can still compete clean. “It’s incredible, just winning a gold medal, and knowing I did it clean,” said the 19-year-old from Evansville, Indiana.

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When Efimova waved her hand in victory after winning the semifinal Sunday night, King was spotted watching in the ready room shaking her head in disgust.

When later asked by NBC’s Michele Tafoya why she’d made the obvious gesture, King replied: “You know, you’re shaking your finger No. 1 and you’ve been caught for drug cheating,” she said, according to Fox Sports. “I’m just not a fan. So I’m going to swim my heart out for USA and hopefully it turns out for the best.”

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Having served an 18-month suspension for use of an anabolic steroid, Efimova was controversially reinstated into the Olympic program just hours before competition started last week.

While King didn’t mince her words about the Russian swimmer, she also didn’t hold back when it came for her fellow countrymen — such as U.S. sprinters Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay — who had failed drug tests in the past.

“No, do I think people who have been caught doping should be on the team? They shouldn’t. It is unfortunate we have to see that,” King said.

“It is just something that needs to be set in stone that this is what we are going to do. Let’s settle this and be done with it. There should not be any bouncing back and forwards.”

10 Ridiculously Scenic Rio Olympics 2016 Venues (Photos)

• Venue: Copacabana Beach
  Event: Beach Volleyball
  One of the world’s longest, widest and most famous beaches will play host to one of the Rio Olympics’ showpiece events, beach volleyball.

  Mario Tama/Getty Images

• Venue: Sambadrome
  Events: Archery and Marathon
  The Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí is a permanent parade area that’s the home of the main parade of Rio’s annual Carnival. It is hosting archery and the start/finish of the marathon at this year’s games.

  Mario Tama/Getty Images

• Venue: Maracanã Stadium
  Events: Opening/Closing Ceremonies and Soccer
  One of the world's largest stadiums and hallowed ground for international soccer will be the first Olympic stadium not to host a single track and field event.

  Mario Tama/Getty Images

• Venue: Marina da Gloria
  Event: Sailing
  The Marina da Gloria, just a short walk from Flamengo Beach, has a view of iconic Sugarloaf Mountain.

  YouTube

• Venue: Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas
  Event: Rowing and Canoe/Kayak
  The stunning (and polluted) lagoon, which divides Ipanema Beach from the mountains, will host the Olympic rowing and canoe/kayak events.

  Mario Tama/Getty Images

• Venue: Grumari Beach
  Event: Cycling
  Rio's grueling and dangerous road cycling course passes by secluded and tranquil Grumari Beach.

  YouTube

• Venue: Pedra do Pontal
  Event: Cycling
  The road cycling course also takes riders past the Pedra do Pontal, a rocky point not far from Barra da Tijuca, the suburb where most of the main Olympic venues are located.

  YouTube

• Venue: Vista Chinesa
  Event: Cycling
  Rio's road cyclists will also climb through the city's urban rainforest, the Tijuca National Forest, where they will pass close to the Vista Chinesa lookout point.

  YouTube

• Venue: Ipanema Beach
  Event: Cycling
  The road cycling course takes riders through trendy Ipanema Beach, home of some of Rio's most expensive real estate.

  Mario Tama/Getty Images

• Venue: Fort Copacabana
  Events: Cycling and Triathlon
  The start and finish of the road cycling race is the 102-year-old Fort Copacabana, a beachfront military installation right near NBC's Olympic broadcast center on Copacabana Beach.

  Mario Tama/Getty Images

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From Copacabana Beach to the Tijuca National Forest, Brazil’s “marvelous city” has some of the most spectacularly sited venues of any Olympics

Venue: Copacabana Beach
Event: Beach Volleyball
One of the world’s longest, widest and most famous beaches will play host to one of the Rio Olympics’ showpiece events, beach volleyball.

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