Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen says the doping allegations surrounding her record-breaking swim were unfair and were pedalled by a "jealous" foreign media.

"We have never challenged athletes who win gold medals from other countries, even those who won several of them. Why do I get questioned?" she said.

Ye, who won two golds at this year's Games, set a world record in the 400 metres individual medley and shaved five seconds off her personal best, instantly raising questions about the performance, with US coach John Leonard describing it as "unbelievable".

Asked by a reporter if she would "agree that some foreign media were just jealous?", Ye replied, "Yes, I agree", explaining it was simply hard work and training that won her the golds.

Shiwen has since been cleared of using performance-enhancing drugs.