“I think what it means is we have just a great sporting culture and a really wonderful system of sport in our country”, said Alan Ashley, the USOC chief of sport performance.
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Lochte’s performance at Rio was far from the heights he would have expected, particularly given it was his only individual event at his fourth Olympics. His last individual competition is Friday night and his final race is Saturday.
In the last historic showdown between Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte of the United States, the winningest Olympian of all time came up with yet another win as Lochte faded on the final 50 to finish off the podium. “I’m definitely going to cherish it for the rest of my life”, said Lochte. Hagino claimed silver in 1:56.61 as Shun took the bronze in 1:57.05.
“I had to work at it every day for many years. No, I’m not. But I’ll just say that”, Phelps said to reporters while answering a question about his son Boomer being able to see him compete in Rio. But back in 2001, he had one simple goal: “I just want to get faster”. I thought, “Wow, I only have to put a racing suit on two more times after tonight and I only have to warm down one more time after tonight”. He led by a fraction in the first part of the race.
Interestingly, Phelps’s mother, Debbie, also told the Today Show that there was seemingly a chance of Phelps making another run at Olympic gold. “And one of the toughest too”.
While much has been made of the rivalry over the years, it seems that the two elder statesmen of the swimming team – Phelps is 31 and Lochte is 32 – have become friends in the twilight of their careers.
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For now he just needs a break. Friedman exclaimed down the stretch, when he mistakingly thought Lochte was full body length ahead of any other swimmer.
