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Lilly King shows no sympathy for Russian rival Yulia Efimova

RIO DE JANEIRO – Don't expect Lilly King to show much sympathy for rival Yulia Efimova, despite the Russian's tearful breakdown earlier this week.

Russia's Yulia Efimova stands next to USA's Lilly King on the podium with their medals after the women's 100m breaststroke final. (Photo: Rob Schumacher, USA TODAY Sports)

RIO DE JANEIRO – Don’t expect Lilly King to show much sympathy for rival Yulia Efimova, despite the Russian’s tearful breakdown earlier this week.

King’s individual campaign ended on Wednesday night when she finished seventh in the second semifinal of the 200-meter breaststroke, but will compete, likely against Efimova, in the medley relay on Saturday. Efimova reached the 200-meter final with the sixth-fastest qualifying time, and swam in the first semi.

“You know, I am not an emotional person,” King said, smiling, when asked if Efimova’s tears at Monday’s press conference had affected her. “So… I wasn’t…I was just focusing on me and (American) Katie (Meili) after she won bronze. So that’s kind of where I was at.”

Enough said.

King’s victory in the 100-meter breaststroke on Monday relegated Efimova to silver. With her outspoken criticism of Olympic chiefs for allowing Efimova, who has served a doping ban yet was reinstated into the Games hours before competition started, King has become a household name.

However, she admitted she has no plans to turn pro and will return to college at Indiana, with classes starting next week.

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