Chinese swimming prodigy, 16-year-old Ye Shiwen, categorically denied doping after British media raised suspicions about her world record-breaking in the London Olympics.

Ye shattered Stephanie Rice's mark in the women's 400m individual medley by more than a second, including an astonishing final lap which was faster than US winner Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps in the men's competition. Ye also won the women's 200m individual medley final on Wednesday.

At a news briefing after Tuesday's race, reporters peppered Ye with questions about doping, including an outright inquiry as to whether she engaged in it. Through a translator, she said, "Absolutely not."

When a reporter asked American Caitlin Leverenz, who won bronze in the race, if she believed a female swimmer could beat a man's time in the final 50 meters of a medley—as Ye did Saturday night—Leverenz nodded at Ye and said, "She proved it is possible," a response that prompted loud applause from some Chinese journalists.

The Wall Street journal said skeptics noted that Chinese swimmers have been caught in the past using performance-enhancing substances.

World Swimming Coaches Association executive director John Leonard set off a firestorm Monday when he said publicly that he found Ye's win "disturbing."

Ye's 400-medley performance was either "the greatest swim in history," Leonard was quoted as saying on Tuesday, or "something that is not correct." He added that he had received several emails accusing him of racism after his comments were published.

But Colin Moynihan, chairman of the British Olympic Association, said on Tuesday "she's clean. That's the end of the story."

According to the journal, he cited the World Anti-Doping Agency, saying that it is "unwise for any coach, any administrator, indeed anybody, to come out with suspicious comments, verging on allegations, about an athlete who has proved to be clean and followed the WADA code."

"Some suspicion is expected from the West, which typically questions Chinese athletes and tends to be a little arrogant," Ye's father, Ye Qingsong, was quoted as saying. "Chinese athletes have been tested and the results will prove [the truth]."

Chinese netizens expressed discontent on the blogosphere.

"Speechless! Envy should not taint the innocence of China's national talent," wrote a user from Sina Weibo, China's biggest microblogging service. Ye's own Weibo account had about 200,000 followers till Tuesday, and her account was filled with messages of support.

The Guardian started a poll on its website on Tuesday – “Does Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen deserve an apology”, and 98 percent of respondents said yes so far.

The journal said Ye's win is the product of a broader effort by the Chinese government to stand at the top of the medal count at the Olympics. After the 2000 Olympics, leaders launched an effort dubbed Project 119, boosting funding in swimming, gymnastics and weightlifting.