Wales’ Chloe Tutton has revaled her anger at losing out on an Olympic medal to previously banned Russian swimmer Yulia Efimova.
Tutton came fourth in the women’s 200m breaststroke in the final in Rio on Thursday night and was denied a bronze medal by the presence of Efimova, who took silver.
The controversial Russian swimmer has twice been suspended for taking banned substances, but was allowed to compete at the Games.
Tutton – the 20-year-old who has enjoyed a sensational breakthrough few months – finished just 0.01 seconds outside the British record and said: “You know being fourth is a little gutty but I would like it to be completely clean.”
When pressed by reporters whether she thought, like others, that Efimova should not be in the Olympics because of her past positive tests for a steroid in 2013 and meldonium last winter, Tutton hesitated for a moment.
“Touchy subject,” she said before adding: “I can’t help who is here. I’m not happy with it but that’s what it is. People have to get on with it.”
Fellow Brit Molly Renshaw finished sixth as Rie Kaneto of Japan took gold.
Tutton added: ‘It’s bittersweet. I’m really happy with that time, but being so close to a medal, you can’t help but be disappointed.
‘I’ve got many more years to improve. Hopefully that’s just experience and hopefully in the future do a bit better.
‘To see the scoreboard at the end, just to see a fourth. So close, but never mind.’
Efimova said she was entitled to a second chance after the Court of Arbitration for Sport cleared her to compete.
‘Maybe on the surface I appear calm but everything is just boiling inside and I worry a lot in every race,’ Efimova said.
‘CAS considered my appeal and I won. If someone dislikes it and has a different opinion, they can go in front of CAS and ask them to consider it.
‘On one occasion I made a mistake. All over the world, including the US, you will find the same mistakes.
‘The second case was completely not my fault. I was acquitted and also a week ahead of the race here I won the court case so I think I don’t have to be subject to any questions in this regard.”
Despite her disappointment at missing out on an individual podium position in Brazil, Tutton should have another chance of a medal in the 4x100m medley relay in the early hours of Sunday morning.