Ryan Lochte of the United States swims butterfly as he competes in heat five of the Men's 400-meter Individual Medley on Day One of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre, July 28, 2012.
Posted on 07/28/2012 4:32:31 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
LONDON — The victory was so clear-cut, so utterly dominant, it looked a little bit like Michael Phelps used to do it. Ryan Lochte turned what was supposed to be a dramatic showdown with Phelps on Saturday night into a surprising solo act.
Surprising, that is, to everyone but Lochte, who crushed Phelps and the entire field on the opening night of the Olympic swimming competition, then pronounced himself ready for more of the same over the next eight days.
As Phelps forlornly tried to figure out what happened, how he finished out of the medals in his first Olympic race since the 2000 Summer Games, Lochte matter-of-factly announced himself the boy of the summer.
“This is my year,” Lochte said. “I feel it. I’ve put in the hard work. I’ve trained my butt off for four years. I just feel it inside my gut. This is my year. There’s no better way to start than by getting a gold.”
Lochte, who touched the wall in 4 minutes, 5.18 seconds, was so dominant he had time to turn around, examine the scoreboard and then watch the earnest battle for second and third that ensued behind him. Brazil’s Thiago Pereira claimed the silver in 4:08.86 – 3.68 seconds behind Lochte — and Japan’s Kosuke Hagino got the bronze in 4:08.94. Phelps finished in 4:09.28.
After the race, Phelps yanked off his cap and goggles, stunned. Having claimed the last qualifying spot for the final with a strangely slow swim in the morning heats, Phelps had gotten stuck out in Lane 8, but he said the distant lane wasn’t his problem.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I guess the bong isn’t being to good to Phelps.
Please use ‘Spoiler’ in the headline and do not post results in the headline for those of us not in your time zone. Thank you.
I would have preferred Americans in all three top spots, but all long as an American took the gold I’m satisfied.
I'll second that request.
Thanks.
I had to run to an obscure grocery store late at night for one item last week. In the back row, the shelf stocker and the floor sweeper were arguing over Phelps versus “this new guy.”. The Phelps fan had never heard of Lochte. He was lording it all over this slightly more informed guy of how Phelps was going to win all these gold medals. I just whooshed past and said, pointing at the Lochte fan, “This guy’s right.”
It wouldn’t surprise me if Phelps wasn’t really in condition for the Olympics. His wins in 2008 seemed to make him arrogant and lazy.
Just say no to drugs.
Arrogant, lazy and horny. When the devil can not bring a man down he sends in a woman./s
I forget who but one of his team mates questioned his “work ethic”. Looks like he knew what he was talking about.
I was thinking the same thing. At least he can soon get back
to his first love... Smoking a lot of pot.
Marijuana has reduced him to only being able to swim faster than 99.99999999999999% of everyone on Earth. Unless he wins a gold medal, in which case it will 100% for that race. Poor SOB.
Thanks, had to just wait and 5 minutes I might have seen the race. Hey, just remember Santa Claus is really a story!!!
That can not happen as only two swimmers from each country are allowed in each event. If they listed the country where each athlete trains the USA would be up on the leaderboard far more often.
Off topic and disclaimer: I’ve been traveling since Thursday. Was the US flag dipped?
About Phelps, this is no surprise considering the abuse he has been giving his body.
Eve was in cohorts with the devil; Adam just listened to his wife.
bongs and broads.
My daughters swim coach has met Lochte and she says he’s a very sweet guy. He earned his gold but not to pee on his parade Lochte did not take the world record time which still belongs to Phelps.Go team USA!
in a sold out venue, with HUNDREDS of empty seats! somebody's got some splainin to do...
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