US swim star Ryan Murphy’s explosive doping accusation after silver medal

A US silver medal-winning swim star has dropped a wild claim after he lost both of his Olympic titles, but is he just being a sore loser?

US swimmer Ryan Murphy has cast serious doping allegations after claiming silver in the 200m backstroke final.

The American, who did the 100m-200m backstroke double in Rio, was again no match for Russian rival Evgeny Rylov, who will leave Tokyo with both of Murphy’s titles.

Earlier in the meet, Murphy claimed bronze in the 100m behind Rylov and ROC teammate Kliment Kolesnikov.

It prompted him to throw out a bitter accusation of doping at the ROC competitor, while Rylov was setting right next to him at a post-race press conference.

READ: What country is ROC?

Maybe it was frustration, but Murphy went on the attack post race when asked if he had any concerns about doping in the race.

“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.”

The accusation appears to stem from Russia’s name, flag and anthem being banned from the Games.

Russian athletes are competing under the moniker of the Russian Olympic Committee and under a flag featuring the Russian Olympic Committee logo. Many Russian athletes were banned from the Games for historic doping offences.

Ryan Murphy has been slapped down for his claim.

The nation was handed a four-year ban from a wide range of international competitions including World Championships and the Olympics, although its clean athletes are allowed to compete.

Some athletes feel that the sanctions against Russia didn’t go far enough, with Murphy appearing to be one.

“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,” he said.

“The people that know a lot more about the situation made the decision they did. It frustrates me, but I have to swim the field that’s next to me.”

What makes the claims even wilder is that Murphy had only swum under 1:54 once since Rio, while Rylov has claimed the 200m backstroke titles at the last two World Championships.

“I always do the doping tests … I would not be able to forgive myself if I had taken something,” he said.

“I don’t know how to react to this. I haven’t been accused of anything.”

Rylov was left stunned by the accusation as he said he had always believed in clean sport.

Rylov with the medal that counts.

He added later: “I have always been in clean condition. I’ve always tested and filled out the forms. 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.”

Olympic Russia’s Twitter account fired back at the accusation, basically calling the American a sore loser.

“Yes, we are here at the Olympics. Absolutely right. Whether someone likes it or not.

“But you have to be able to lose. But not everyone is given this. The old hurdy-gurdy again started the song about Russian doping. Someone is twisting the handle diligently.”

The account then tweeted: “English-language propaganda, oozing verbal sweat in the Tokyo heat. Through the mouths of athletes offended by defeats. We will not console you. Forgive those who are weaker. God is their judge. And for us – an assistant.”

Swiss bronze medallist in the event Jeremy Desplanches said he didn’t have any worries about Rylov or doping in the event.

“Of course there are some strange cases. But when someone is better than you, it is so much easier to just say he has doped,” he said.

“But sometimes people are just better than yourself.”

The American back-pedalled somewhat later.

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

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

“At the end of the day … I do believe it (doping) is still big in swimming and it is what it is.”