Ryan Lochte, Michael Phelps renew great rivalry
OMAHA — For one last time here on American soil, Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps will line up in adjacent lanes and act out arguably the greatest rivalry in swimming.
Lochte and Phelps qualified first and second for the men’s 200-meter individual medley final, which will take place Friday night at the U.S. Olympic trials. TV coverage of the trials begins at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
Phelps won this race here four years ago, with Lochte coming in second. The duo finished in the same exact order in London, taking gold and silver.
“Him and I have gone back and forth a number of times in this race and during the big meets," Phelps said. “It’s going to be good. We’re going to be out and probably step on the gas a bit more than we have in the past, and you’ll have an exciting race.”
Promised Lochte: “You will definitely get a good battle. I think it’s one of the greatest rivalries in sports.”
Phelps, 31, has already qualified for the 2016 Olympic team in the 200 fly. Lochte, also 31, has only qualified as a member of the men’s 4x200 relay so far. This is Lochte’s last remaining individual event; he finished third in the 400 IM earlier in the week and then scratched the 200 back.
Phelps, who won his 200 IM semifinal Thursday night, stayed on the pool deck to watch Lochte swim his.
And for one last time, at least, all eyes will be on these two, in the same pool, in the same race — ageless.
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