Swimming World Throwback Thursday Video: Phelps and Lochte’s 200 IM Battle At 2012 Olympic Trials
Photo by Peter H. Bick
OMAHA, Nebraska, September 18. AS we get ready for the announcement of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials qualifying times, it’s only natural to think about the 2012 meet, in which Missy Franklin, Katie Ledecky and many others made their first Olympic team. But, as always, the headlines often belonged to Michael Phelps and/or Ryan Lochte, depending on the day.
When the two lined up for the 200 individual medley final in Omaha, the air was electric. It was a foregone conclusion that Phelps and Lochte would be the two Olympic qualifiers, but how fast would they go? Just .05 slower than Lochte’s world record pace after butterfly, Phelps managed to lead from start to finish and earn a third-straight 200 IM Trials title.
But it wasn’t easy. Even after swimming in the 200 back final just 30 minutes earlier, Lochte never gave up and finished second behind Phelps, just nine hundredths of a second behind.