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Ryan Lochte, world record holder and 12-time Olympic medalist, reached the 200 IM final in the second wave of the 2021 US Olympic Trials. He was competing to make his fifth Olympic team.
On the final night, Lochte finished seventh with a time of 1:59.67. Michael Andrew won the race (1:55.44), slightly slower than swimming in the semi-finals. Chase Kalish, who won the silver in the 400m at the 2016 Rio Olympics, finished second with a time of 1:56.97.
Lochte had the last 50 freestyle faster than Andrew, splitting 29.46 to 30.09 for Andrew. Lochte also had one of the fastest reaction times, 0.65 compared to Andrew and Kalish 0.68 and 0.69, respectively.
But what really held him back was that he had the 50 fastest breast cleavage (34.69). This put him in seventh, .08 behind sixth-placed Andrew Siliskar who was able to hold him in the freestyle.
This was Lochte’s last event in the meet, so he officially missed the US Tokyo 2020 Olympic team roster. He also finished 25th in the 200th Freestyle in that meet.
The 36-year-old Lochte made it clear in his post-race interview on Friday night that this isn’t the end of the road for him, but that may not mean more competition.
“There is a lot I want to achieve in the sport of swimming,” he said. “Whether it’s in the pool or outside the pool, making the swimming bigger. That is my biggest goal.”
“But I’m having fun, teaching all these little kids everything I’ve learned,” he said, referring to 22-year-old Andrew. “And he carried a torch like that man,” Andrew pointed out again. “He will represent the USA well and I am proud of that.”
When asked how he would like to be remembered at the pool, Lochte did not mention any of his accomplishments. Instead, Andrew and the entire swimming community invited a portion of his family.
Lochte’s closing statement to the interview: “I’m going to be a father now and hug my kids.”
RACING VIDEO – FINAL OF THE TWO-WAVE OF 2021 Olympic Trials Men’s 200 IM
Lochte won the silver medal in the event at the 2004 and 2012 Olympics and won the bronze medal in 2008. He set the current world record of 1:54.00 at the 2011 World Championships. He was part of the 800 gold medal-winning free relay for the US team. USA at every Olympic Games since 2004, and he placed fourth in the 200 free singles at the 2012 Olympics.
Here’s a look back at Lochte’s 200 IM swim at the 2011 World Championships:
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Picture Credit!