TOKYO. A whirlwind of suspicions on doping and angry reactions stirred the waters between the United States and Russia at the Tokyo Games, and the final reconciliation between the two main swimmers is not necessarily enough to close the affair. The case exploded immediately after the feat with which Yevgeny Rylov, two times world champion, took the gold of the 200 meters backstroke by interrupting a stars and stripes domination that he had held from six Olympics, leaving the reigning champion Ryan Murphy behind. , silver around the neck and some doubts in the head. “I have about fifteen thoughts, 13 of which would get me into a lot of trouble,” said the 26-year-old American. It is what it is. I try not to think about it. It drains your mind to live a whole year thinking that I will swim in a race that is probably not clean ». In this sort of cold war in the tank, the British Luke Greenbank, third, has chosen the Atlantic alliance: “It is a very complex situation not to know if the opponent you are competing against is clean.” Enough to irritate not only Rylov (in Tokyo in the 100 backstroke he gave his country the first gold in swimming in 25 years) and the rest of the expedition which is in Japan with over 300 athletes, under the insignia of the Russian Olympic Committee, without anthem or flag for the sanctions linked to state doping, but also the Kremlin.
The 25-year-old Russian swimmer defended himself by stressing that he had never failed a doping test. “I do not understand the insinuations, next question”, he cut short in a tense press conference: “From the bottom of my heart I am for clean sport: I have dedicated my entire life to swimming, I do not know how to react to this situation”. Within a few hours Murphy extended his hand to his rival, on social networks he sent him compliments explaining that he had “enjoyed competing” with him and giving him an appointment for “other great races in the future”. “He wrote me a personal message, and apologized for the misunderstanding at the press conference – added Ryolov, as reported by the Russian agency Tass -. He was referring to swimming in general, not to our competition ». But by now the diplomatic case was on the table, with also the reaction via Twitter of the Russian Olympic Committee: «Our victories are unnerving for some of our colleagues. Yes, we are at the Olympics. We have every right. Whether someone likes it or not. ‘ And then to Rylov: «Forget those who are weaker. God judges for them and for us ». From the Kremlin, spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented: «Our guys should get medals, preferably gold, and not pay attention to it. The medals go beyond criticism ».