Being an Olympic athlete is not easy. I mean, I don't know from personal experience, but from the outside looking in there seems to be multiple variables at hand. You have to train immensely, you have limited free time, you are likely on a diet, and you are consistently pushing your body to the max. Not to mention, the mental and physical pressure that an athlete feels while competing at the Olympics. The only thing seems very overwhelming to me - but maybe that's why I am not an Olympic athlete. One American who seems to handle this process in spades, is Olympic swimmer, Lilly King of Evansville, Indiana. Not only did she have to face all of these variables, but she was forced to compete against a Russian swimmer who has been suspended twice for doping. The Russian, whose name happens to be Yulia Efimova, also happens to be the reigning world champion, to make matters more difficult.
It was clear that Lilly King did not agree with the decision to let Efimova compete. To be honest, I don't blame her. There is no reason that an athlete with that track record should be competing in the Olympics in the first place. It is unfair to the rest of the athletes and the competition as a whole. Anyways, Efimova often raises her finger as in "number 1" when she competes. Immediately before King's first heat for the 100m backstroke, King was shown mocking her by waving her finger at the TV screen. Basically interpreting that as, "you're not number 1 yet and you shouldn't even be here." King also has verbally announced her disapproval of the decision at hand. Claiming that while she respects the decision of the committee to let her compete, she doesn't agree with it. It is completely fine for athletes to talk smack about each other, but what is important is that you can back it up.
And by golly - Lilly King backed it up.
In the final heat of the 100m backstroke on the night of August 8th, Lilly King and Efimova were at battle once again. Both of them determined to come out of this race victorious with a gold medal around their neck. Efimova is booed as she begins to take her place. The race begins and immediately Lilly takes the lead - ambition and passion driving her desire for success. Then, in a matter of seconds, Lilly touches the wall. Winning a gold medal for team USA and defeating the cheating Russian swimmer. Lilly was elated and overjoyed. Good always defeats evil in the end, and that race was no different. In her interview after she won, she says, "It's incredible, just winning a gold medal, and knowing I did it clean."
Boom. I told y'all she was a boss. You tell 'em Lilly.
In the end, it's the perfect story. Lilly wasn't afraid to speak up when she didn't agree with what was going on. She stood up for what she believed in and took a stand. In the end, she beat the Russian the old fashion way, which makes her story even more fantastic. Props to you, Lilly King. Way to make a statement on Rio 2016. I promise, we won't forget something like this.
