The bruises on Michael Phelps’ shoulders have sparked accusations of cheating from Russian state TV. (AP) American Lilly King might have outlasted Russian rival Yulia Efimova in the 100-meter breaststroke Monday, but the battle between the two countries is*just heating up.
Russian state TV reportedly compared Michael Phelps’ non-scientific cupping method to meldonium, a banned substance that has resulted in the doping suspensions of many Russians, including Efimova and tennis star Maria Sharapova.
Phelps, and many other athletes across a wide variety of sports, swear by cupping, an ancient healing method that involves placing heated glass cups on the body to heal muscles and remove swelling. The suction from the cups leaves circular bruises on the body, which Phelps sported shortly before he won his 19th Olympic gold medal in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay.
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While talking about the Americans’ victory Sunday night, the host of the Russian network explained Phelps’ healing method to viewers.

“Following the Hollywood trend, the method was adapted by athletes,” the host said, according to a translation provided by Mashable. “According to them, vacuum-based massage improves circulation and overall well-being, suggesting that muscle repair happens faster after physical exertion.
“In other words, the net effect from such practices in many ways, is not unlike those of meldonium.”
While cupping has shown no documented medicinal effects, meldonium is a drug used to treat patients who suffer from a lack of blood flow to the body. It is not available in the United States, but is sold over the counter in Russia. The World Anti-Doping Agency placed meldonium on its banned substances list in January after the organization found “evidence of its use by athletes with the intention of enhancing performance.”
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Sharapova received a two-year ban from the ITF after she tested positive for the drug at this year’s Australian Open. The former world No. 1 claimed she had been taking the drug for a magnesium deficiency.

In April, The New York Times reported that Russians accounted for at least 30 of the 158 positive tests for meldonium in the year’s first four months*and as many as 700 of the country’s athletes were on the drug in the year before it was banned.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said*the*substance “doesn’t influence the result” and shouldn’t be considered a performance-enhancing drug.
The Russians are facing explosive allegations of a massive, years-long state-sponsored doping system. Late last month, WADA called upon the International Olympic Committee to ban Russia from participating in the Rio Olympics, but the IOC passed on the decision to the individual governing bodies of each sport. Of Russia’s 389 athletes, only 118 were cleared to compete.
Russian athletes in Rio who have previously failed doping tests, like Efimova, have been met with a bevy of boos thus far.