On Wednesday night, Michael Phelps put himself in position for another gold medal, finishing first in Semifinal 2 of the Men’s 200m Individual Medley.
Advertisement
RIO DE JANEIRO Ryan Lochte of the United States qualified fastest on Wednesday for the semi-finals of the Olympic 200 metres individual medley, two places ahead of his career-long team mate and rival Michael Phelps. Lochte beat Phelps in the 400 IM on the first day of swimming in London, his most notable victory on a big stage in their rivalry. Katie Ledecky, who swam a spectacular anchor split in the 4 x 200 freestyle relay on Wednesday night to clinch gold for the US, has emerged as Phelps’ co-star.
It has been another incredible Olympics for Phelps, who already has added three gold medals to his career total.
Ledecky’s medal haul is now up to three gold and one silver in four races so far.
There was plenty for Brazilian fans to celebrate, with Henrique Rodrigues qualifying fourth and Thiago Pereira fifth.
Before Phelps and Lochte go at it in the pool, Katie Ledecky swims the preliminaries of the 800 freestyle, her last individual event in Rio. Lochte raced to 1:56.28.
Lochte, who moved to Charlotte three years ago to train at SwimMAC Carolina, has 12 Olympic medals and would be considered the greatest Olympic swimmer of many generations.
“I really don’t care about Phelps or Lochte”.
Lochte, 32, said: “This week, we’re just getting started”.
“I think Ryan and I have probably grown closer as friends this year than in the past, so we’ll have one more time to hop in the pool and duke it out”, Phelps said.
“The history him and I have had with one another is something special and something I’ve never had with another competitor of mine”, Lochte said of Phelps after the semifinal. “That’s why he brings out the best in me and hopefully I do the exact same for him”.
Lochte has dominated this event as well, winning the world championships in 2013 and 2015. The clock is ticking down on Phelps, who races five more times before hanging up his suit at age 31.
Advertisement
“We’ll hang out because swimming doesn’t dictate our friendship”, Lochte said.
