American swimmer Ryan Murphy accused Evgeny Rylov of doping after he was beaten by the Russian in the Olympic 200m backstroke on Friday, sparking an angry denial from Moscow.
Murphy raised doubts about the result when he claimed he was “swimming in a race that’s probably not clean”.
Rylov said he was “surprised” by Murphy’s suggestion.
In an explosive statement on Twitter, the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) said “the broken record is once again playing the song about Russia doping and someone is diligently pressing the button on the English-language propaganda”.
The Russian Anti-Doping Agency said Rylov had been tested three times this year and that he was “prepared and clean.”
Murphy, the reigning champion, had to settle for silver after being beaten for a second time this week by 24-year-old Rylov, who set an Olympic record of 1min 53.27sec.
The Russian won the 100m backstroke on Tuesday. In that event Murphy won bronze, with Kliment Kolesnikov, also competing for the Russian Olympic Committee team, taking silver.
In Rio, Rylov claimed bronze behind the victorious Murphy, but the pair have been on opposing trajectories since, with Murphy only breaking 1:54 once, in 2018, while Rylov triumphed at each of the last two world championships.
Asked if he thought the race was fair, 26-year-old Murphy said: “I’ve got about 15 thoughts, 13 of them would get me into a lot of trouble. 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 (and to think) that I’m swimming in a race that’s probably not clean, and that is what it is.”
As a nation, Russia are banned from Tokyo 2020 after being found guilty of state-sponsored doping, meaning their athletes cannot use the Russian flag and anthem.
But more than 330 Russian athletes have been allowed to compete under the ROC moniker, meaning Russia has a significant presence in Tokyo — and some of their rivals believe their punishment has not been tough enough.
“The people that know a lot more about the situation made the decision they did,” said Murphy. “It frustrates me, but I have to swim the field that’s next to me.
“I don’t have the bandwidth to train for the Olympics at a very high level and try to lobby the people who are making the decisions that they’re making the wrong decisions.”
‘I’ve always been clean’
Rylov, who has never failed a doping test, said he was innocent.
“I do not understand this suggestion. I was concentrating on the result. Next question,” the Russian said.
“It’s strange because if you look at my appearance and physiology it’s quite a strange suggestion to make. I am really surprised to hear this.”
Rylov addressed the issue again in a tense press conference, flanked by Murphy and Britain’s bronze medallist Luke Greenbank.
“I have always been in clean condition. I’ve always tested and filled out the forms,” Rylov said.
“From the bottom of my heart I’m for clean sports. I’ve devoted my whole life to this sport. I don’t even know how to react to this.”
His Olympic committee tweeted: “How unnerving our victories are for some of our colleagues. Yes, we are here, at the Olympics. We have every right. Whether someone likes it or not.
It added: “We will not console you. Forgive those who are weaker. God is their judge and for us – an assistant.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also commented, saying: “Our guys should be getting medals – preferably gold ones – and not be paying attention to all of that. Medallists are beyond criticism.”
Asked if he shared Murphy’s doubts, Greenbank said: “It’s obviously a very difficult situation not knowing whether who you are racing against is clean.”
The Russian’s victory ended the US dominance of the men’s 200m backstroke after they had claimed gold at the last six Games.
