Russian state TV likens Michael Phelps' cupping to doping

Russian state TV is not happy with Michael Phelps' penchant for cupping.

The swimmer, who just blew everyone out of the water in the 4 x 100 meter relay, has been getting a lot of attention for the red circles on his back. The marks indicate that he's been enjoying cupping sessions, a traditional Chinese medicinal therapy that is thought to improve circulation and help muscle recovery.

To the Russians, though, it's a suspicious practice indeed.

The country's state TV introduced its viewers to Phelps' obsession Monday, and likened the effects of the process to those experienced with meldonium, a banned performance drug that's been found coursing through the blood of Russian athletes.

Explaining how cupping works the anchor of the show says in Russian that "following the Hollywood trend, the method was adapted by athletes. 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," he adds, reminding viewers of the athletes who were disqualified or stripped of their medals after using the drug.

Well-designed scientific studies on cupping and its effects are rare.

Russia has not been having a good Olympics so far, with 118 of its 389 competitors banned after the World Anti-Doping Agency decried its state-sponsored doping, and those that have made it in face boos from the audience. All Russian athletes have also been banned from the Paralympics.

In April, Putin said of meldonium: "This substance was never considered as doping. It doesn’t influence the result. That’s totally certain. It just keeps the heart muscles in good condition under high load.”