The Rio Olympics are not the last we will see of legendary swimmer Michael Phelps, according to American compatriot Ryan Lochte.
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He may be the world record holder in the 200m medley, but Ryan Lochte is under no illusions over how hard it will be to beat Michael Phelps.
Lochte didn’t even make it to the podium this time, after taking two silvers and a bronze behind Phelps at the last three Olympics.
Freedman was quick to realise his gaffe, offering this apology.
Japan’s Kosuke Hagino won the silver medal behind Phelps in a time of 1:56.61 also won the gold in the 400m IM earlier in the week. That’s how it went four years ago in London, when Phelps won and Lochte finished second.
“The biggest thing for me through the meet so far is I’ve been able to kind of finish how I wanted to”.
Phelps’ four consecutive golds in the same event are unique for a swimmer and place him in the same Olympic pantheon as fellow-Americans Al Oerter in the discus and Carl Lewis in the long jump.
“I try not to even think about it because then I just get focused on that”, he added.
Campbell and her younger sister, Bronte, were hoping to battle for gold after teaming up to lead Australia to a victory in the 4×100 free relay. “I really think so”.
Olympic and world champion Florent Manaudou was only fourth quickest among the speed demons in the men s 50m freestyle heats, the giant Frenchman clocking 21.72 seconds.
Before Phelps and Lochte go at it in the pool, Katie Ledecky swims the preliminaries of the 800 freestyle, her last individual event in Rio.
“My goal was to win one gold”, Murphy said. Evgeny Rylov was the leading qualifier in 1 minute, 54.45 seconds. “I’m happy with myself”.
Hungary s “Iron Lady” Katinka Hosszu topped the time-sheets in the 200m backstroke heats, clocking 2:06.09 as she bids for a fourth Rio title after completing the individual medley double and winning the 100m backstroke.
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“I wouldn’t say it’s all or nothing”, Lochte said. “I only get to put a racing suit on two more times after tonight”.
