2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Swimming: August 6-13
- Olympic Aquatics Stadium, Barra Olympic Park, Rio de Janeiro
- Prelims – 9:00 a.m/12:00 p.m PST/EST (1:00 p.m local), Finals – 6:00 p.m/9:00 p.m PST/EST (10:00 p.m local)
- SwimSwam previews
- Schedule & Results
- Live Stream (NBC)
One day after a disappointed Ryan Lochte left his swimming future up in the air, the 12-time Olympic medalist said his career isn’t over yet – and suggested the same might be true for longtime teammate Michael Phelps.
Last night, immediately after falling to 5th in the 200 IM, Lochte talked to NBC sideline reporter Michelle Tafoya, saying he needed a mental and physical break from the sport and only saying he “might” be back.
Speaking to The Today Show this morning, Lochte went into further detail on his swim, noting that he used too much energy in pushing his race early, which led to his late slide in the closing leg.
Lochte didn’t back off of his comments about needing a break, but also seemed to imply he does plan to continue competing in the future.
“I definitely feel the same way. I haven’t taken a break since I started swimming,” he said. “Going at it day in and day out, just beating up your body, it takes a toll. And being at the age I am now, it’s definitely time that I need a break.
“But I can’t say that it’s over.”
That last line will surely cheer up fans sad to see the popular swimming icon ending his Rio run without a 200 IM medal.
Lochte also had an interesting comment to close the interview. After sharing about his relationship with Phelps, Lochte was asked if he could look into the camera and tell Phelps he’d see him in Tokyo, which will host the 2020 Olympics.
Though Lochte was certainly led in that direction, he was quick to go even further.
“You know what, I can definitely say that because I guarantee that he’ll be there,” Lochte said with a grin.
Lochte wasn’t lying
They were held up by gunpoint by the armed security guards at the petrol station until they handed over money
The 2 other swimmers were advised by their Brazilian attorney to fabricate the facts in order to get their passports back to leave the country
My advice
Don’t travel to Brazil
If Lochte and Phelps trained for Tokyo I think Phelps would make the team but Lochte wouldn’t. Lochte has already shown a lot of decay in his swimming and I don’t think he’s gonna get faster at all
Phelps will be back for 2020 for 200 IM. He wasn’t fresh last night and destroyed the field. He wanted the WR and I think that would drive him to come back. Maybe for 2017 Worlds just for that event. If he went to Tokyo he would be 35. Multiple events would be to taxing.
5 peat!
If Phelps ONLY swims 200 IM I could definitely see a fivepeat.
Perhaps could throw in a 4x100fr spot too? Early enough in the meet to allow recovery.
This is an international site, right? How about you post international links? Incompetence, I swear.
Pretty sure it says “.com” up there.
THIS IS ‘MERRCA. YOU DON’T LIKE IT, YOU GO TO SOME OTHER LESS GREAT PLACE.
your right but couldnt you have left the last sentence away? :/ makes every sensible person hate you, just sayin
I think there is a little chance of a comeback but depends on evolution of competition in this 4 years. Yesterday a not exactly fresh Phelps literally destroy everybody with a great time. So just imagine a fresh Phelps without all that race in his legs of fly and relay. In 200 medley Phelps still has a monster advantage and it’s the easily race for him. If in this 4 years nobody close this times i think Phelps might come back with a great motivation: become the first men in olympic history to win a race for 5 times in a row, so skip 200 fly, skip the relay and focus only on 200 medley and maybe 100 fly or… Read more »
4×100 free relay
4×200 free relay
200 IM?
Maybe skip the 4×200
I could totally see him going 1:55 in Tokyo if he swims this schedule.
The question is: What will DAVID NOLAN do?
Ya, it will be interesting to see (both Nationally and Internationally) how many more swimmers give the 200IM a shot, because a medal spot just opened up.
coming back for the shorter 100 races makes sense — but he has far more margin for error in 200 IM. There’s still no other Americans going anywhere near 1:54. He could go 2 seconds slower and make the team.
A 1:56 mid will still make it I reckon. Maybe even 1:57.0 Michael Andrew is good, but really, 1:56 is NO JOKE.
I think ye big difference is the fact phelps took off time- allowed his body to recover and heal. Lochte has had injury over injury and has gone non stop