Three days earlier, the 16-year-old's performance in winning the 400m individual medley took five seconds off her personal best, more than a second off the world record and, more surprisingly, she finished the last 50m freestyle faster than the men's champion, Ryan Lochte, had managed in his 400 individual medley win.

Such exploits have raised suspicions of doping in some quarters, but Coe vehemently backed the swimmer who unequivocably denies she has taken anything illegal.

"It's not the first time teenagers have broken world records or won Olympic titles," Coe said in answer to a question from insidethegames.

"You have to be very careful when you suddenly assume that a massive and unexpected breakthrough in a particular discipline is based on anything other than great coaching and extraordinary talent."

"I remember in my late teens taking 4.5 seconds off an 800 metre personal best so it's really not that unthinkable.

"My instinct is always to give the benefit of the doubt."

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