Aside from breaking the ancient record, Thursday’s 200-meter individual medley win was Phelps’ fourth consecutive victory in that category – putting him with track and field Olympians Al Oerter and Carl Lewis as the only Americans to win an individual event four times! Then, despite clearly being exhausted, he qualified for the butterfly sprint showdown in fifth place.
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Ryan Lochte was left in his wake every time.
Lauer asked Lochte if Phelps, the most decorated Olympic swimmer in history, has been both “an inspiration and a frustration” throughout his career.
“You know what, I can definitely say that, because I guarantee he will be there, ” he told Lauer.
“My body is in pain, and my legs are hurting”, Phelps admitted.
But fellow US swimmer Ryan Lochte, both a good friend and a worthy adversary, finds it hard to believe Phelps won’t jump back into the pool when the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo roll around.
This time, he did not even make the podium. Leading at the midway point, Lochte faded to fifth – almost three seconds behind the victor. He brings the best out of me. He had a dream, like many do, of winning gold one day.
He clinched silver in 2004 and 2012 and bronze in Beijing in 2008.
But Phelps was in a league of his own. A 100-meter butterfly final is coming on Friday night. Come race time on Thursday, Lochte managed to hold the lead for the first 100 meters, but ended up finishing fifth.
Lochte then revealed that he will be taking a break from swimming after the Olympics.
During the final Olympic showdown between the two, as Phelps has said the Rio Games will be his last, Phelps went on to take gold, his 22nd overall.
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The end is near. The second-most decorated USA men’s swimmer in history just turned 32 years old and said Friday he’s taking a break from the sport, although he didn’t rule out returning for Tokyo.
