Yulia Efimova: 2016 Olympic reprieve ‘would not surprise’ Ruta Meilutyte’s coach

Yulia Efimova (left) beat Ruta Meilutyte (right) to the gold medal in the 100m breaststroke at the 2015 World Championships in Russia

The coach of Olympic breaststroke champion Ruta Meilutyte says he would not be surprised if her Russian rival Yulia Efimova competes at Rio 2016.

Efimova is barred after the IOC said Russian athletes with previous doping bans could not compete.

“It seems to me extremely clear, she won’t be there,” said Jon Rudd.

“But if our international federation are allowed to become involved and manoeuvre around that ruling, then it wouldn’t surprise me if she is there.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided not to bar the entire Russian team from the 2016 Olympics, despite evidence of a state-sponsored doping programme in a report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Association (Wada).

Rudd, who is also the coach of British 50m record holder Ben Proud, says he is unsure whether Fina, swimming’s governing body, are strong enough to implement bans on athletes from influential nations.

Efimova was suspended …

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