Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte will square off in the 200-meter individual medley, an event in which they finished 1-2 in London four years ago. Phelps won the semifinal in impression fashion, but Lochte was right there, finishing a close second.
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For Lochte, it was his first individual swim in the Rio games. This will likely be the final time these two compete, as Phelps has said he’s all but assuredly done with competitive swimming after these Games.
Olympic roommates Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte maintain a relaxed vibe at the athletes’ village. The 200 IM is one of two races that Phelps can win for the fourth straight time, along with the still-to-come 100 butterfly.
“I want what’s best for this team”, Franklin said. Phelps pulled ahead during a strong breaststroke leg. Lochte closed with a fast final 50 freestyle.
“I love racing him, honestly”, Phelps said on Wednesday night. Lochte now holds the top two times in history but Phelps got the best of him at the 2012 Olympics in London and at this year’s U.S. Olympic trials.
“It got real”, Paul George said.
This is the first tie for a gold medal since Anthony Ervin and Gary Hall Jr. did it in the 50 free in Sydney in 2000. “I think I had a pound of spaghetti, and I am not a spaghetti fan”. Simone Manuel of the United States took the second spot, followed by Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden and defending Olympic champion Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands. Lochte, the world record-holder at 1:54.00, has won every world championships 200 IM since 2009.
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Ryan Murphy completed a backstroke double and extended a US winning streak, adding the men’s 200 gold to the 100 title he won earlier in the week. World champion Mitch Larkin, and Americans Jacob Pebley and 100 back victor Ryan Murphy will vie for medals.
