Years of competition has turned the two men from rivals into friends.
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Lochte claimed that the rivalry he has with Phelps helps to bring the best out of him, further stating that Phelps is a tough competitor to beat as he never gives up.
That’s the big thing on the schedule for Thursday night, although Rio will have more to offer.
Both also took home gold medals after being a part of the winning 4×200 free relay team, along with fellow teammates Conor Dwyer and Townley Haas.
The win got Phelps his 20th gold medal.
On the day after Phelps dwarfed Lochte in the Men’s 200m IM to win another gold medal, Lochte was interviewed on the Dan Patrick Show. Ryan Lochte doesn’t think so. As it is, he’s respected and admired, but he’s not in the same stratosphere as Phelps. Interestingly, all of the top 3 finishers at the second semi-final here today are in their 30s; Phelps is 31, Lochte 32, and Pereira 30.
“It’s going to take a flawless performance in order to beat him just because of how tough of a competitor he is”. By the time I got to high school, I had a pretty good thing going. “And hopefully I do the same for him”. The New Yorker Ryan Lochte finished in second place with a time of 1:56.28, while Phelps achieved a time of 1:55.78. Hometown favorite Thiago Pereira of Brazil finished third in the heat (1:57.11).
“That would be wonderful”, Debbie Phelps said.
“I am really looking forward to it, I can’t wait”, Bronte said.
The record-breaking American, whose place among the pantheon of sporting greats has always been cemented, stormed to victory in the 200 individual medley to match his London tally four years ago. In one final clash.
“You know, just recover, especially how old I am right now”, Lochte said.
He was lauded by the Rio crowd with one banner proclaiming “Phelps Greatest Olympian Ever” and Phelps swayed slightly and breathed deeply as he listened to the US anthem at the victory ceremony with his eyes moist.
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Which isn’t true, of course. Especially if he can somehow find that one extra gear.
