A Russian swimmer claimed the West was launching a new Cold War over Olympics drug-cheating allegations on Tuesday as a bitter row between athletes intensified in Rio.

Finger-wagging, boos from the crowds and fierce criticism from rival athletes greeted the first Russian medal-winners after the country escaped a blanket ban for state-sponsored cheating.

However, Yulia Efimova, allowed to compete at the 11th hour after appealing a ban, claimed criticism was part of a new propaganda war as her silver medal in the breaststroke was met with jeers.

"In the Olympic Games, usually all wars stop, but now they can’t find a way to beat Russia and now they try to make use of athletes,” said Efimova, who is believed to be the first Russian to hit back over the scandal.

Lilly King, a US swimmer who won gold, had previously wagged her finger at Efimova. But the Russian responded angrily: “I would really like to encourage my fellow athletes to understand my problems and not let politics into it...I always thought the Cold War was long in the past. Why start it again, by using sport?"