Pissed off Phelps backs Lilly King

Efimova has been booed every time she entered the pool deck at the Rio Games

‘I think people should be speaking out more. You know I think (Lily) is right’

Michael Phelps backed compatriot Lilly King's attitude toward Russian Yulia Efimova at the Olympics on Monday and said more people should follow her lead.

King, who beat the twice-banned Russian in the 100 meters breaststroke final on Monday, showed her displeasure at Efimova competing in Sunday's heats, wagging her finger at the Russian before she called her a drug cheat.

Efimova was only allowed to compete at the Games after winning an appeal against a ban for her previous doping.

"I think people should be speaking out more. You know I think (Lily) is right. I think something needs to be done."

"It's kind of sad that today in sports in general, not just in swimming, there are people who are testing positive and are allowed back in the sport, and multiple times.

"I think it just breaks what sport is meant to be and that pisses me off."

Efimova has been booed every time she entered the pool deck at the Rio Games while King added fuel to the fire on Sunday when the pair exchanged angry glances before she told reporters she was not happy with the Russian being able to compete.

"You're shaking your finger 'number one' and you've been caught for drug cheating," she said. "I'm not a fan.

"If that's what she feels she needs to be able to compete, whatever, that's her deal.

"I'm here to compete clean for the US and that's what I'm going to do."

Phelps was full of admiration for his 19-year-old team mate.

"You know, we have some tough young kids in our team and I think that's something special," Phelps said.

• The Rio Olympics, on Rediff.com