By Clara Ferreira-Marques
LONDON, July 31 (Reuters) – Ryan Lochte got himself back on
track for a golden haul in London after launching the United
States to Olympic gold in the men’s 4×200 metres freestyle relay
Tuesday, a victory that saw his team mate Michael Phelps become
the most decorated Olympian ever.
Lochte brushed off two disappointing days in the pool to
plow through the opening leg in front and give his team a
commanding lead, which they never relinquished.
With Phelps swimming the anchor leg, the Americans won by
more than three seconds from France and China. It was the third
Olympics in a row where Lochte and Phelps joined forces to win
the event.
“I had a pretty rough couple of days, but today I woke up
and I felt good,” Lochte said.
“I woke up this morning and I was myself – this
happy-go-lucky guy. I think that’s what helped me today, and I
can take that into tomorrow.”
A fast and versatile swimmer – famous for building his
strength by dragging chains and tossing beer kegs – Lochte had
brashly stated that this was his year to shine.
Lochte’s pre-Games confidence was not based on any fanciful
whim or the American tendency for trash-talking. He had six
Olympic medals, including three gold, before the Games even
started, and had beaten the seemingly-invincible Aaron Peirsol
to win the 200 backstroke final in Beijing.
But after starting the Games on a high by winning the 400
individual medley, the 27-year-old struggled in his next two
events.
Continued…
