Lochte, who now holds the top two times in history of the 200-meter individual medley, trailed Phelps to the wall in his signature butterfly leg but pulled ahead after backstroke, leaving just 0.01 seconds between them.
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Phelps and Lochte will race for the gold in the finals Thursday night.
Japan’s Kosuke Hagino, victor of the 400 IM on Saturday, won a slower first semi-final to go through to Thursday’s final in fourth place. Fellow Team USA swimmer Ryan Lochte has bested Phelps – in this event – in the 2011 World Championships. Pereira was out fast and was ahead of World Record pace by.15 seconds with Phelps and Lochte in second and third. Britain finished second and Japan got the bronze. My career would definitely be different. I guess you would say I’d be like the Michael Phelps of swimming if he wasn’t there.
Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte in Rio 2016.
It was perhaps the last time Phelps and Lochte – again, the two most decorated swimmers of all-time – will face off.
Michael Phelps sat alone, thoroughly exhausted.
There was little time to savour the moment, however, as he raced back off the pool deck to get ready for the semi-finals of the 100m butterfly, which he also has the chance to win for a fourth successive Games.
Phelps may have tied Leonidas’ record on Tuesday, but even then he had more gold medals. Three favorites competed at the 200-meter individual medley semifinal to obtain lanes number four and five on Thursday. It’s a friendly rivalry, but they don’t let their friendliness hinder their determination to acquire another gold medal. He has now contested 27 events at 5 Olympics & failed to win a medal only once.
The gold medal is Phelps’ 13th individual gold in his illustrious career, pushing him past Leonidas, who is believed to have won 12 individual sprinting titles in the ancient games some 2,160 years ago.
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After the anthem was over, Phelps – who after all, is the most senior veteran of medal ceremonies – orchestrated the photo op with Shun and Hagino, gesturing them to step up on the top podium with him.
