RIO DE JANEIRO _ America's Lilly King beat Russia's Yulia Efimova to win gold in the 100-meter breaststroke Monday at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in one of the most anticipated contests of the Games.
King finished in 1 minute 4.93 seconds, more than a half-second ahead of Efimova.
Efimova, twice banned for doping, was once again loudly booed before the race. She's become a symbol at the Games of frustration over Russia's state-sponsored doping scandal.
Katie Meili, another U.S. swimmer, finished third.
The posturing between King and Efimova became one of the early stories of the Games. During Sunday's semifinals, Efimova shook her finger in the No. 1 sign. King later said that "I'm not a fan" of the Russian and voiced her disapproval with the International Olympic Committee's decision to allow her to participate.
After Monday's race, Efimova left the pool deck alone. King strode past her without acknowledgement.
The International Swimming Federation announced last month that Efimova and six other Russian swimmers were banned from the Olympics for either previously failing doping tests or were named in the World Anti-Doping Association's investigation into state-sponsored doping in the country.
Efimova and at least five of the swimmers were quietly cleared last week to compete in the Games.
Neither the International Swimming Federation or the IOC has explained the reversal or responded to requests for comment on the matter.
King, a 19-year-old from Indiana, held the world's top time in the event this year entering the Olympics.
