Reuters
Rio de Janeiro, August 12: It was an event where Michael Phelps had always beaten him starting in 2004 at Athens. But on each occasion, Ryan Lochte finished with a medal (silver in 2004 and 2012 and bronze in 2008). The 200m individual medley IM has always been his strength, but for the first time in his Olympic career, the American failed to win a medal, finishing fifth even though Phelps again took the gold.
Phelps has already announced that Rio will be his last Olympics. Not so for Lochte. In spite of failing to win a medal in the only individual event he participated this time, the 32-year Lochte said he still had some fire burning in his belly.
“I can’t say this (Olympics is over). If anything, that race, the failure to win a medal, it helped motivate me. There’s a lot of things that I need to change in the next four years if I want to come back to the sport. But I want to do those,” the American added.
Phelps acknowledged the role of Lochte in his career. “That’s the longest continuous competitor I’ve ever had,” Phelps said of the friendly rivalry with Lochte that began in 2004. “And one of the toughest too. He pushed me, made me tougher.”
Lochte told reporters that his performance Thursday would be among those he most regretted. “I had to work at it every day for many years. I just wish I would have ended up better,” pointed out Lochte. “I was a little bummed about my performance, but I was happy for him (Phelps) to get the gold.”
