Ryan Lochte's Epic Double is Today! 200 back & 200 IM

Read about it on sportsillustrated.com:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/olympics/2012/writers/ann_killion/08/01/michael-phelps-ryan-lochte/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t12_a0

Ryan has been training for this double for at least six years, maybe longer.  I think he can win both.  It's certainly not going to be easy, but I think he can do it.

I love this picture:

Oh No, Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx?

Fox Sports on 200 IM/200 back

200m Back and 200m IM Double - Semis on Wednesday

Ryan has been training for this double for at least six years.  I cannot wait to see how these events play out!

I love this analysis of who will win the 200 IM, Ryan or Michael Phelps.  http://swimswam.com/2012/08/nerding-out-who-will-win-the-200-im-phelps-or-lochte/

Conclusion:  “Lochte has 200 Back.”

“Advantage Phelps.”

BUT

“Lochte is an animal.”

SO ULTIMATELY

“Advantage Lochte.” 

Here's a video of Ryan Lochte's father talking about the 200 back/200 IM double.  Kind of odd how the video cuts off mid sentence!

US Wins 4 x 200m Free Relay - Lochte leads off

Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer, Ricky Berens and Michael Phelps combined to win the 4 x 200m free relay.  The splits were as follows:

In Summary: US splits : Lochte 1:45.15; Dwyer 1:45.23, Berens 1:45.27, Phelps 1:44.05. #SwimLympics
— SwimSwam (@swimswamnews) July 31, 2012

Ryan led off the relay and Michael Phelps swam anchor, the first time I can remember them taking on those roles.  I would have liked to see Ryan swim anchor and hold off Agnel, because I believe that would have been a great confidence boost for him.  Regardless, winning the gold by so much and doing so well seems to have done the trick.

Ryan has his toughest days of the meet coming up on Wednesday and Thursday with the 200m back and 200m IM double.  Everyone will forget about the 200 free if he can pull off the double.  I have been waiting so long for Thursday and can't believe it is almost here.

Mike Gustafson on the 400 free relay

Click on the link and read the whole article.  Here is a taste:

http://usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=0&itemid=4626&mid=8712

BY MIKE GUSTAFSON//CORRESPONDENT

Hey America, an Olympic silver medal is actually awesome.

Last night, when Ryan Lochte was passed by France’s Yannick Agnel in the final length of the men’s 400 freestyle relay, it wasn’t because Lochte had choked. Nor was it because Lochte swam poorly, missed a wall, inhaled water, forgot to warm up, hit the lane line, cramped, was thinking of a failed math test from 3rd grade, or stopped trying. Yannick Agnel was just that fast. You too would get passed against someone swimming a 46.7. Even Phelps. Even Adrian. Yannick Agnel swam a superb time when the time was right, and Ryan Lochte happened to be the unlucky one swimming in the lane next to him.

Piers Morgan Interviews Ryan's Mom on CNN

I usually cannot stand to watch Piers Morgan, but this is a pretty good interview.