Olympics: US swimmer Ryan Murphy says 200m backstroke race 'probably not clean'
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(From left) Ryan Murphy, Evgeny Rylov and Luke Greenbank pose on the podium with their medals after the 200m backstroke final on July 30, 2021.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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TOKYO (REUTERS) - United States swimmer Ryan Murphy said Friday's (July 30) 200m backstroke final was "probably not clean" after he lost his Olympic title to Russian Evgeny Rylov.
Murphy won gold in the 100m and 200m Rio finals but Rylov won both titles in Tokyo.
"I've got 15 thoughts, 13 of them would get me into a lot of trouble," said Murphy when asked by a reporter if he had any concerns about his races in relation to doping.
"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."
When asked about Murphy's comments, Rylov said: "I don't understand this suggestion. I was concentrating on the result."
A Russian team spokesman declined to comment on Murphy's remarks.
USA Swimming had no immediate comment.
