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‘Probably not clean’: US swimming silver medallist voices doping concerns at Tokyo Olympics


US silver medallist Ryan Murphy has raised doping concerns at the Tokyo Olympics, saying swimming is “probably not clean” after he finished second to Russian Evgeny Rylov.

Murphy touched the wall behind Rylov in the men’s 200 metres backstroke final on Friday, falling just short of defending the title he won at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The American, who did not accuse Rylov of doping, made the comments when asked by a reporter shortly after his event if he had any concerns about his races in relation to doping.

“I’ve got 15 thoughts, 13 of them would get me into a lot of trouble,” Murphy said.

“It is what it is. I try not to get caught up in that.

“It is a huge mental drain on me to go throughout the year, that I am swimming in a race that’s probably not clean and that is what it is.”

Murphy attempted to clarify his comments at a later media conference, saying he was only talking about doping in swimming in general.

He congratulated Rylov and British bronze medal winner Luke Greenback, who were both sitting next to him at the media conference.

“I need to be clear … my intention is not to make any allegations here,” he said.

“Like, congratulations to Luke and Evgeny. They did an incredible job, they’re both very talented swimmers.

Greenbank said he also had concerns about the presence of doping in swimming.

But he did not accuse Rylov or other Russian swimmers of taking performance-enhancing substances.

“It is frustrating knowing there is a state-sponsored doping scheme going on,” he said.

Russian athletes are competing at this year’s Olympics under the banner of the Russian Olympic Committee due to the country’s doping-related sanctions.

The athletes do not have their flag raised or their national anthem played when they win events in Tokyo.

Rylov, who has long been one of the world’s top backstrokers, denied being involved in any doping schemes.

“I have always been for clean competition,” Rylov said through a translator at the media conference.

“I’m tested. I fill out all the forms. I’m for clean sport. I’ve been devoting my whole life to this (sport).”

Rylov said he did not feel like he was the target of Murphy’s frustration, even after beating him twice in Tokyo.

“Ryan has all the right to think the way he does and say what he does,” he said.

Murphy won gold in the 100m and 200m backstroke at the Rio Olympics, but Rylov claimed both titles in Tokyo.

The Russian set an Olympic record of 1 minute and 53.27 seconds in winning the 200m final on Friday.

Murphy took the bronze medal in the Tokyo 100m backstroke behind Rylov, whose fellow Russian Kliment Kolesnikov won the silver.

AP/Reuters



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