Ryan Lochte Undergoes Surgery to Treat Appendicitis
On Saturday afternoon, 12-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte posted to his Instagram account that he was headed into surgery to treat appendicitis. Lochte posted a photo of himself wearing a mask, a head covering and a hospital gown as he prepared to be treated for his condition. Lochte also shared a video of his wife, Kayla, at his bedside.
The 36-year-old Lochte was supposed to chase a fifth trip to the Olympic Games this summer, only to have that pursuit temporarily sidelined by the postponement of the United States Olympic Trials and the 2020 Tokyo Games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lochte took a positive outlook to the postponements, declaring that he would continue to push toward the 2021 campaign and the chance to make another Olympics at the age of 37.
By undergoing surgery for appendicitis, Lochte has encountered another speed bump on the road to Tokyo, but the timing of his ailment shouldn’t be a significant hindrance. The biggest issue for Lochte, whose best chance to qualify for another Olympics is in the 200-meter individual medley, is his battle with Father Time. As Lochte seeks to remain competitive at a world-class level, he will also have to deal with rising stars on the American scene, such as Carson Foster.