At the Team USA Olympic Team training camp in San Antonio, veteran Team USA Olympian Ryan Lochte sat down with the press to talk about the upcoming Rio Games. Lochte, an 11-time Olympic medalist, will swim the 200 IM and 4×200 free relay in Rio.
Lochte talks about the upcoming 200 IM race with Michael Phelps in Rio, and the dynamic between the two at training camp. Despite their rivalry, Lochte cherishes the friendship they’ve built since 2004, and knows that no matter what happens on race day, they’ll still be friends.
Lochte also addressed the international competition in the 200 IM, specifically pointing to the Japanese swimmers. He considers himself an underdog to Kosuke Hagino, because no matter what he’s done in years past, he starts from the bottom at the beginning of the season. Hagino curently leads the world rankings with a 1:55.07.
When asked if he plans to retire after Rio, Lochte said he won’t stop swimming until he stops having fun. Right now, he’s finding the love for the sport that he had as a little kid, and hinted that he doesn’t think this will be his last go around.
Predictions for 2020 Trials
200 free 1:46.10 (perhaps earning a spot on the relay prelims for the games)
200 IM 1:55.7 For The Win.
Honestly, I am wondering when everyone else will be going the 1:56s and 1:55s Hagino as starting doing it (I give him the first one beside Lochte or Phelps because he’s done it textile). Sure, in 4 years it could change, but really, has it changed that much in 2016 from 2012? And it’s always tough to imagine that a sub 1:56 would not make the team. Now before you all say Lochte went 1:46.6 in the 200 free and 1:56.2 in the IM, remember he was injured. Especially for the breastroke. If Lochte drops… Read more »
If your talent aligns with your passion the outcome is happiness. I would ride it till the end. It is career not the swimming community’s. Go Ryan Lochte!!!
U are right – he seriously shows how to combine talent , passion and a true purpose to follow . Thats creates superb evolving situations and outcome
I agree! Go Ryan! Keep inspiring us! Great character, passion, and teammate!
He used to be very immature, but I’ve grown to love Ryan Lochte.
He doesn’t have the freak physiology of Phelps. He could never skip practices for 4 years and win Olympic medals. He’s never had lots of drama outside the pool. After 3 Olympics, he still tries new things like the Lochte turn. He’s just a swimmer, and he doesn’t take that too seriously. I respect that.
So glad to hear this about Lochte!! Would have been extra tough on us fans had he and Phelps retired at the same time after Rio. Glad to hear he’s still having fun cause we’re still having fun watching and rooting for him. Let’s take this mutual love-fest as far as it can go!!
Keep going, Ryan, at the elite level. Do the SC World Cup thing. Keep the sponsors happy. Drop in to a few Masters Nationals now & then, and host some clinics for Masters swimmers in cool locations. Marsh has already done some, but you’d be a bigger draw and skip the whole Colorado Springs venue, but pick a place that would be fun to train and learn in.
Lochte’s job right now is to be an inspiration and example to all humanity to show us what we are capable when we truly apply ourselves to a pursuit we are passionate about. Lochte is awesome and still swimming at an incredible level. At worst he gets 3rd in rio. which is still better than like 7,399,999,998 other people in the world can say. He will probably always have the biggest reach being around the pool and being an ambassador for our sport. I’ll be cheering for him in Rio!
Lochte has a great personality and is easy on the eyes. He probably could model full time if he wanted. And I think he should swim as long as he wants. I’m just happy to see him still loving this sport.
I agree. I could look at Lochte all day……
Agree. It is his professional /job. He should decide if he wants to keep going, not us. Plus, if his time no longer fast enough to be in top 2 (or 6 on 100 & 200 free) at next trial, he won’t be going to Olympic. Let his and others swim do the talking.
Besides, still no guy came near them (Ryan & MP) in 200 IM at OT is not a sign for Ryan to retire. Kids need to step up and swim some fast time!
If they win the 4×200 relay that will be his 4-peat, he should go for the 5peat and try become the first athlete ever to win 100 + international medals, he’s on 89 the most of any swimmer ever.
Including olympics, worlds LC & SC, pan pacs, pan am.
Lochte probably oblivious to this, but yeah he shouldn’t stop if he doesn’t want to, no one should, this is an awesome sport, and if he pb’s in anything ever again fair play, good luck and keep having fun.
If he can’t win at the world championships or pan pacs he could just do pan am games he would utterly dominate there, with no competition
100 breast is a good chance for Pb I think.