The fact that Phelps is even racing at the Olympics at 31 years old is extraordinary.
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Lochte did not place, finishing fifth in an event he and Phelps have largely dominated in world competition dating back to 2003. China’s Wang Shun took bronze.
The race in Rio extended an Olympic rivalry that began back in 2004, at the Athens Summer Games – a period in which Phelps has won the gold in every Olympics, relegating Lochte and a host of other talented male swimmers to also-rans in this event.
His domination complete, Michael Phelps hit the wall, took a couple of deep breaths and then put up four fingers. This is it. I said it a bunch before.
In the women’s all-around, Simone Biles is the favorite to win gold and Aly Raisman will be a medal contender.
But he will have to get past Phelps, who came second in his semi-final in 51.58, behind Hungarian speedster Laszlo Cseh in 51.57.
The Rio Olympics 2016 final of the 100m butterfly is scheduled to take place on Saturday morning at around 9.12am, Singapore time.
Phelps also had support back home as the Baltimore Ravens briefly halted its pre-season game to watch the race live as fans held “Ravens flock for Phelps” signs. “I’ve received a lot of support and that’s phenomenal”, Schooling told reporters.
” All my hard work has paid off and I am really happy about it”. “I’m kind of bummed, but gave it my all so that’s all I can ask for”.
He also said he’ll be taking some time off after Rio. “Gonna need some time off – just a break mentally and physically”.
So with this race in the books, what’s the updated medal count?
“He’s one of the best, not swimmer ever, best athlete in the Olympics”.
A powerful front crawl to return left Phelps’ opponents swallowing his dust as the American claimed his fourth gold of the Olympics, and his 22nd overall. Lochte will go down as always the bridegroom, never the gold medalist, in the 200 IM. But he’s the second-most-decorated swimmer in Olympic history.
“We do have a very young team, so anything I can teach them on my last couple of days as a USA swimmer, I’m proud to do”.
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Japan’s gold medal victor Rie Kaneto competes in a women’s 200-meter breaststroke final during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
