American Murphy says 200m backstroke race 'probably not clean' after losing Olympic title to ROC's Rylov

Murphy won gold in the 100 and 200 Rio finals but Russian Evgeny Rylov won both titles in Tokyo.

The United States' Ryan Murphy, right, gives a thumbs up to Evgeny Rylov, of Russian Olympic Committee, after Rylov won the men's 200-meter backstroke final at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

United States swimmer Ryan Murphy said Friday's 200m backstroke final was "probably not clean" after he lost his Olympic title to Russian Evgeny Rylov.

Murphy won gold in the 100 and 200 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 spokesperson declined to comment on Murphy's remarks.

USA Swimming had no immediate comment.

Russian athletes are competing at this year's Olympics as the 'Russian Olympic Committee' as part of sanctions for doping scandals. They do not have their flag raised or their national anthem played when they win events in Tokyo.