The most decorated Olympian of all time will be racing in one of his best categories (the 100-meter butterfly) on Thursday as he pushes to qualify for the final Friday. For much of their careers, Phelps has defeated Lochte. He then leaned across the lane line to embrace Lochte.
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This was a fast race – Phelps clocked it at 1:54.66, less than a second off the world record – and it took place in front of a boisterous and enthusiastic crowd. Hes won six Olympic Gold medals, and 12 medals overall.
Lochte came in fifth, with a time of 1:57.47. While American fans were cheering Phelps or Lochte, the host Brazilian fans were roaring for one of their own, in Thiago Pereira. But he faded late to finish seventh.
Phelps trailed after the first two legs but took over in thebreaststroke and moved clear in the freestyle to win in 1 minute54.66 seconds.
The 19-year-old American is the heavy favorite to win the grueling race, which would give her a sweep of the 200, 400 and 800 freestyles for the first time since Debbie Meyers of the U.S.in 1968.
Lochte was runner-up to Phelps, 31, in this event in 2004 and 2012, and a bronze medallist in 2008.
In the qualifying heat, Phelps beat Lochte – a sight that, frankly, we’ve seen before. Keep an eye on Japan’s Kosuke Hagino, who also has a shot to make the podium.
It is Phelps’ third gold of the Rio Games and he returns to the poollater Thursday in the semi-finals of the 100m butterfly.
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Phelps easily beat Lochte and the rest of the field Thursday night in the 200-meter individual medley, besting his American rival by almost 3 seconds.
