Yulia Efimova Comments on Doping, Michael Phelps' Marijuana, Alcohol Use

Russian swimmer Yulia Efimova has been vilified during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro after she failed two drug tests prior to the Games. On Thursday, she finally shot back at American Lilly King's comments but also went after American swimming legend Michael Phelps, who has a checkered past with drug and alcohol abuse, per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports:

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Of course I’m not for doping, and I’ve never used it on purpose. But I know there have been very many occasions where people do it because they don’t know or because they’re stupid or naive. There always should be another chance. When you are driving a car and break a rule, you get only a ticket. You don’t lose your license for life or get put in jail.

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Efimova was the target of King's verbal jabs this week as the American proposed the Russian should be punished with a lifetime ban. Efimova was allowed to compete in the Games and has won two silver medals, with one coming behind King's gold-medal performance in the 100-meter breaststroke.

The 24-year-old tested positive for the banned substance DHEA, an over-the-counter supplement, in 2013. She was suspended for 16 months and didn't appeal, saying she "inadvertently purchased" it at a GNC store, per D'Arcy Maine of espnW. 

Five months ago, she was suspended again after testing positive for meldonium, which the International Swimming Federation added to its banned-substance list Jan. 1. However, because the World Anti-Doping Agency was unsure how long the substance can remain in one's body, it later wiped the suspension away, per Maine.

Phelps has also faced a pair of suspensions during his tenure as the top swimmer in the world. He was sidelined for three months after a picture of the swimmer smoking from a bong surfaced in 2009 and for another six months after a DUI in 2014.

The 31-year-old won his 22nd Olympic gold medal Thursday night with a dominant showing in the 200-meter individual medley.