Lilly King claims Justin Gatlin shouldn’t be on US Olympic Team
By Chase Ruttig
Lilly King had a strong take about fellow Team USA sprinter Justin Gatlin after winning the 100-meter breaststroke Gold. Claiming Gatlin shouldn’t be on the team.
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Lilly King captured the stage on Monday night as she beat her Russian rival in the 100-meter breaststroke event, setting an Olympic record in the process as King became a hero by besting Yulia Efimova to win the Gold.
After the race, King let her feelings on Russia’s doping scandal be known as the American pulled no punches when it comes to her rivalry with the Russians, claiming that she was disappointed that Efimova was allowed to compete after initially being banned from the Olympics due to the Russian doping scandal.
King also made a bold claim about one of her Team USA teammates, as when she was asked if she felt that sprinter Justin Gatlin should be allowed to compete after having a previous doping suspension in his past, King dropped the hammer and said she doesn’t feel that athletes with doping violations should be able to compete for her country.
US swimmer Lilly King on sprinter Justin Gatlin: "Do I think people caught for doping offenses should be on the team? No."
— Rachel Bachman (@Bachscore) August 9, 2016
King’s comments about Gatlin are surely going to be controversial, but are consistent with her strong opinions about doping. With King quick to criticize the Russians, it is only fair to have the same standards for her fellow Team USA Olympians.
Even if Gatlin’s doping violation is in the past, if King had her way there would be no doping controversies attached to Team USA as she isn’t afraid to say that she would rather not have the 100-meter contender competing if she had her way.