“My career would definitely be different”, Lochte said when asked if he’s grateful for Phelps being around at the same time. “It just wasn’t there”. “For me, he brings the best out of me”. But I gave it 110 percent.
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“I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps”.
In addition, the women’s 100m freestyle will also be featured in primetime, which will be headlined by Aussie sisters Bronte and Cate Campbell.
South African Chad Le Clos has vowed to do all he can to take the fight to Michael Phelps one last time before the USA swimming great heads into retirement. “I’ve been able to accomplish things I’ve just dreamed of”. “I’m the first Simone Biles”, she said. He’s a phenom. It’s unbelievable.
“This is it. I’m swimming how I want to and this is a great way to finish”, he told NBC.
Lochte, 32, thought Rio might finally be the Games when it was “my turn” to shine in the spotlight Phelps has monopolized since 2004.
Phelps will be seeking his fourth straight 200 IM title at the Olympics.
Kosuke Hagino of Japan was second, nearly 2 seconds behind Phelps.
Ledecky turned in a split of 1 minute, 53.74 seconds, which was almost 2 1-2 seconds faster than her next-fastest teammate, Allison Schmitt in 1:56.21. Later, Phelps choked up during the national anthem.
This was also Maya DiRado’s third medal of the Olympic games, and she now has a complete set (one gold, one silver, one bronze). “This has been a very, very special week for me so far”.
It was a tough ending for Lochte – who moved to Charlotte three years ago to join SwimMAC Carolina’s Team Elite – but it was not a surprise that he lost to Phelps. But it is Phelps – not Lochte – who was photographed ripping bong (my favorite photograph of all time – think about how big that guy’s fish lungs are), and it’s Phelps that has gotten in trouble with drinking, ending up with two DUIs. While Phelps wasn’t racing for a medal, Ledecky was leading team U.S. in the women’s 4×200 relay and she did her best to bring home the gold for the United States.
The American now has 21 Olympic gold medals and 25 in total.
“It’s been a hell of a career”, Phelps said.
His medal haul has now risen to 26, including two silvers and two bronzes, with the 100 butterfly final still to come on Friday.
Phelps also had some non-swimming goals too.
“Right now I don’t know how to wrap my head around that”. I consider that Ryan and I have probably grown closer together as friends this year than we have in the past.
“I have the utmost respect for him”.
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Lochte turned 32 last week and is non-committal about whether Rio is his last Olympics.
