Saturday 30 June 2012

Ryan and Michael Lochte in Olympic Battle


US swimmers Michael Phelps and his Ryan Lochte have set up one final meeting before London 2012.

The pair will meet in the final of the 200m individual medley at the US Olympic trials in Omaha after setting the fastest times in the semi-finals.

Racing next to each other, Lochte finished first in one minute 55.51 seconds, with Phelps easing to 1:56.66.

Phelps said: "I knew he kind of took off, so I was like I should probably save something for tomorrow."

"I kind of shut it down once the race was kind of over," he added.

Lochte - whose time was the fastest in the world this year, said: "It was just about getting a lane in the final, but the final's going to be a dog fight."

The race is the third meeting between the two in Nebraska, after Phelps beat Lochte in the 200m freestyle final, while Lochte won the 400m individual medley final.

Phelps, who has won 200m medley gold at the last two Olympics, has already qualified for three individual events and in addition to the 200m medley he has the 100m butterfly to come, while Lochte has booked his place for two events and can add two more on Saturday.

PHELPS v LOCHTE
Michael Phelps
Olympics: 14 golds (six in Athens & eight in Beijing); two bronze (Athens)
World Championships: 24 golds, 6 silvers, 1 bronze

Ryan Lochte
Olympics: 3 golds (one in Athens & two in Beijing); 1 silver (Athens); 2 bronzes (Beijing)
World Championships: 11 golds, 2 silvers, 1 bronzes

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