U.S. swimmer Lilly King is a “hero” for taking such a public stance against doping in sports -- particularly the doping history of Russian swimmer Yulia Efimova -- as it is "time for athletes of today to take a stand,” according to NBC's Rowdy Gaines. The longtime Olympic swimming analyst said strong criticism against doping “can't just come from me." Gaines: "I thought Lilly King was awesome in speaking out about it and making a difference" (“Rio Olympics,” NBC, 8/9). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Germano & Futterman write King "pierced a culture that has long offered quiet acceptance toward athletes returning to competition after serving doping offenses." USADA CEO Travis Tygart said, "We hear from athletes all the time about the need to protect their right to compete clean. It’s a real turning point in the fight for clean sport when athletes stand up and demand a level playing field" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/10). USA TODAY's Christine Brennan writes, "We are witnessing something quite remarkable here." King, a sophomore at Indiana and "unknown to almost all of us when these Olympics began four days ago," is doing something the IOC, WADA and "just about every other worldwide sports organization cannot." Brennan: "She is forcing an international dialogue on this vital question: Why is anyone who has been caught cheating ever allowed to compete in the Olympic Games?" (USA TODAY, 8/10).
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE: In DC, Jerry Brewer notes King is "now a gold medalist and a doping vigilante." King "wasn’t just ripping Efimova" on Monday, as she was "protesting the entire, mysterious governing system for creating an awkward situation" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/10). ESPN's Bonnie Ford said, “For a long time, athletes held their tongues, whether it was out of etiquette or simply not wanting doping to be a ‘distraction.’ But we’ve reached a tipping point now where the system is so broken, the athletes have lost faith in it to such an extent that that’s the bigger distraction" (“OTL,” ESPN, 8/9). In Indianapolis, Tim Swarens writes, "Hurray for Lilly King. Her courage is worth more than the gold around her neck" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 8/10). FS1's Jason Whitlock said, "I got nothing but respect for this young lady.” FS1’s Colin Cowherd: “This is courage” (“Speak for Yourself,” FS1, 8/9). But ESPN's Bomani Jones said, "I feel like what Lilly King said was just a little bit too easy. We’re giving all kinds of credit for having the courage to make a point that is a bit obvious and one that requires more nuance than she did provide” ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 8/9).
PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH: ESPN's Marcellus Wiley said, "God bless Lilly King, and maybe she never does something wrong. But what if she does? Does she want the entire world to condemn her forever?” (“SportsNation,” ESPN2, 8/9). ESPN's Michael Wilbon said King deserves credit for calling out dopers, but he added, "You got to be clean yourself.” ESPN's Tony Kornheiser: “She better be clean” (“PTI,” ESPN, 8/9).
CONFRONTING THE PROBLEM: In N.Y., Clarey & Crouse in a front-page piece write there is now "direct confrontation" from athletes regarding doping when there previously had been "polite, if sometimes awkward, silence." More athletes "have clearly had enough, turning typically pro forma news conferences into morality plays." Australian swimmer Mack Horton on Saturday was in the warm-down pool before the competition when China's Sun Yang "vigorously splashed him, as if to get his attention." Horton said, “I ignored him because I don’t have time or respect for drug cheats.” Clarey & Crouse note Sun served a three-month suspension in '14 "for taking a banned stimulant." Horton on Saturday "out-touched Sun for the gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle," after which he did not acknowledge Sun "in the water and later called it 'a win for the good guys.'" French swimmer Camille Lacourt said of formerly suspended athletes, “They don’t belong in a sport. They should make up their federation of dopers and have fun among themselves" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/10). In Toronto, Bruce Arthur notes the IOC "opened the door by not banning Russia for state-sponsored doping, and FINA, which runs swimming, did the same, and now the knives are coming out." Arthur: "This is swimming at these Olympics: Cold War, bloodsport, delicious, savage. If you want your sports to be honest and jarring, it is great entertainment. It is a show" (TORONTO STAR, 8/10).
OFF THE TRACKS: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Germano notes USA Track & Field "responded to criticism" from King about allowing athletes previously banned for doping back on the national team. USATF claims the NGB "follows rules set forth by other sports authorities" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/10).
