Phelps already has three gold medals to his name at the 2016 Games and could win three more.
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If you need proof of close this race was expected to be, consider that Lochte owns the world record in the event at 1:54, while Phelps set the Olympic record, at 1:54.23.
On the breaststroke leg, Phelps pulled ahead as duo worked their way past Brazil’s Thiago Pereira and then Phelps brought it home, extending his lead to nearly two seconds as Lochte fell apart the last 20 meters.
Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom also crept by her to take bronze to complete her collection after winning gold in the 100m fly and silver in the 200m free.
Added Lochte: “We bring the best out of each other”.
It’s the historic call broadcasters dream about while covering the Olympics – but one commentator is apologizing Thursday after apparently mixing up the swimming lanes.
“It hurt a little bit, but with a good rest this afternoon think I’ll be fine”, he said. Having that come to an end, it’s weird, it’s insane to think about.
Missy Franklin finished 14th in the semifinals of the women’s 200 back – beating out only two other swimmers. It was a far cry from the London Games, where “Missy The Missile” became only the second American woman to take four gold medals in a single Olympics. Pereira finished third with a 1:57.11.
Efimova was 1.67 seconds behind, leaving the Russian with another silver medal.
China’s Shi Jinglin took the bronze in 2:28.28. But viewers in Canada may have briefly thought the most decorated swimmer of all-time had finally faltered. “I’m happy with myself”.
Though Lochte admitted after the race that he swam poorly, the timing makes Phelps’ dominance all the more stunning.
As usual, Phelps pulled off the grueling double, advancing to Friday night’s final with the fifth-fastest time.
What a finish it’s been.
“(His hair) was white when it started”, Lochte’s mother said.
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“Anytime I can be on a relay – whether it’s morning, night, in practice, whatever it is – it means the absolute world to me”, said Franklin, who didn’t even qualify for the final of the 200 freestyle and has only one individual event left after the relay.
