Team USA’s two-time silver medallist, swimmer Ryan Murphy, after losing the backstroke competition to Russian (ROC) competitor said ‘the race was probably not clean’. Murphy did not name an individual but his remarks have put doping in the spotlight at the Tokyo Olympics.

Murphy, who won two golds in the 100 and 200 meter backstroke events in Rio, came second to ROC’s Evgeny Rylov in both races this year. When asked if he had any concerns about his races in relation to doping, Murphy said, “I’ve got 15 thoughts, 13 of them would get me into a lot of trouble.”

Also read: US fencers wear pink masks to protest teammate accused of sexual assault

Russia has been banned from the Olympics over its systemic doping abuses. Russian athletes now participate under the banner of ROC (Russian Olympic Committee). 

“It is a huge mental drain on me to hear I’m swimming in a race that’s probably not clean. That is what it is,” Murphy said.

When asked whether or not his opponents, specifically Rylov, were doping, Murphy added, “My intention is not to make any allegations here. Congratulations to Evgeny, congratulations to Luke. They both did an incredible job. They’re both very talented swimmers. They both train real hard and they’ve got great technique.”

Also read: All that glitters is not gold, an Olympic gold medal is 92.5% silver

Evgeny Rylov denied all allegations of doping and said that he does not think Murphy’s frustrations were targeted towards him, Associated Press reported.

“I have always been for clean competition. I’m tested. I fill out all the forms. I’m for clean sport. I’ve been devoting my whole life to this (sport). Ryan has all the right to think the way he does and say what he does. He did not accuse me of anything. That’s why I don’t have anything against him,” he said through a translator.

Russia was barred from the last two Olympics, including the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games, which referred to Russian athletes as OAR — Olympic Athletes From Russia. Not only the athletes, Russian flags and the national anthem cannot be played at the Olympic Games. The ROC players wear their nation’s colours and have their music played by Russian composer Tchaikovsky.