Americans Michael Phelps (top) and Ryan Lochte compete in a semifinal of the men’s 200-meter individual medley Wednesday at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Phelps retired after those Games, as planned, but he returned 18 months later with unfinished business. She became the only cyclist, male or female, to hold three consecutive gold medals in the same category.
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A little more than an hour after his butterfly final, Phelps picked up another gold medal, anchoring the United States to a comfortable victory in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay.
The Americans trailed Australia after three legs, but Ledecky chased down Tamsin Cook for the win.
Where does that leave Lochte?
The Brazilians have a stake in the 200 IM, too.
Australia, who led until Ledecky dived in and turned the race around, took silver and Canada the bronze.
Chad Le Clos, of South Africa, Phelps’s conqueror four years ago, finished fourth.
Racing in adjacent lanes in the second semi-final, Phelps clocked one minute, 55.78 seconds and Lochte 1:56.28, a turnaround from the morning heats where Lochte was first and Phelps third. Phelps pulled ahead during a strong breaststroke leg. Lochte closed with a fast final 50 freestyle. Also, for there to be a real rivalry, it’s customary for the two involved to dislike each other, which, unfortunately for us, they don’t. “So I handed him mine”. Bad timing. Yet he can take credit for pushing Phelps, who absolutely hates to lose.
“I’m very proud to win a medal for my country”, the 21-year-old said through an interpreter.
They are also roommates. After a brief delay, he put on a riveting race, finishing with a time of 1:53.36. “We don’t talk about swimming”. The reviews definitely proved just how close this event really was.
Lochte had hoped to swim five or six events in Rio.
Cape Town – Former South African Olympic gold medal victor, Ryk Neethling, has suggested Chad le Clos won’t swim the 200m butterfly in Tokyo in 2020.
“Him and I have duked it out back and forth, back and forth”, Phelps said.
“I think my emotions are so high right now that I just want to soak that in and figure out the rest later”. That’s just our competitive instinct that we have.
Ledecky owns the world record in 800-meter freestyle.
Olympic roommates Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte maintain a relaxed vibe at the athletes’ village.
This is one of the biggest swimming events in Rio, and with all the history involved, it’s going to be a must-watch event in prime time.
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“It’s going to take a flawless performance in order to beat him just because of how tough of a competitor he is”. “But win or lose we’re still good friends”.
