JUSTIN GATLIN claimed he did not even know who Lilly King was after responding to his fellow American’s comments about drug cheats.
Gatlin stormed through the 100m heats in Rio – and straight into a row with Olympic gold medallist King.
Nineteen-year-old King won gold in the 100m breaststroke while Russian drugs cheat Yulia Efimova was booed to the rafters in the pool.
And she then hit out at the likes of Gatlin and Tyson Gay who have tested positive for banned substances in the past.
Gatlin then sensationally claimed that he did not even know who King when quizzed on her comments.
He said: “I don’t even know who Lilly King is.
“USADA has done a great job. WADA has done a great job. I have come back and done what I need to.
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“I’ve worked hard just like everybody else. I get tested like everybody else.
“I believe in the system. I hope everybody else believes in the system, too.”
King was captured shaking her finger at the Russian as she watched her qualify for the final, with Efimova holding up a ‘No 1’ sign.
She then said: “I’m not a fan.
“I’m just going to swim harder for the USA, and hopefully it turns out for the best.”
King beat Efimova – who came away with the silver – winning by more than half a second.
After the win, King slapped the water twice in her rivals lane.
She added: “It’s incredible, just winning a gold medal, and knowing I did it clean.
“I have to respect (the track authorities’) decision even if it is something I don’t necessarily agree with.
“No, do I think people who have been caught doping should be on the team?
“They shouldn’t. It is unfortunate we have to see that.
“It is just something that needs to be set in stone that this is what we are going to do.
“Let’s settle this and be done with it.
“There should not be any bouncing back and forwards.”
Gatlin clocked 10.01s in the heats to finish 0.06s quicker than Jamaica star Usain Bolt, who also won his race.
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