We Finally Know If Michael Phelps Can Be Beaten at Rio by Team USA Teammate Ryan Lochte

Michael Phelps has never lost the 200 meter individual medley in the Olympic Games. He won gold in Athens in 2004, in Beijing in 2008, and again in London in 2012.

And while Phelps is undefeated in the Olympic 200 IM, he is not undefeated in the 200 IM altogether. Fellow Team USA swimmer Ryan Lochte has bested Phelps – in this event – in the 2011 World Championships.

Going in to Thursday’s final, Phelps holds the Olympic record – 1:57.14 – which he set in Athens in 2004.

Image Credit: Pierre-Philippe Marcou

Lochte holds the world record – 1:54.00 – set at the 2011 world championships.

Image Credit: Francois Xavier Marit/Getty Images

Phelps has brought his cheering section – including his mother, his fiance Nicole Johnson, her mother, and new baby Boomer – to the arena:

Image Credit: Martin Bureau/Getty Images

And Lochte left the most animated part of his fan club – his grandmother – back in the United States:

My grandma is carrying the #olympictorch at her nursing home, representing #usa #95 #stilltrucking #NYC

A video posted by Ryanlochte (@ryanlochte) on Aug 8, 2016 at 3:17pm PDT

 

But at the end of Thursday night’s races, there could be only one. Years of competition has turned the two men from rivals into friends.

@ryanlochte and I had a fun one today! One of the best racers I’ve had in my career!! #roadrorio #13yearsofracing #mp#mpswim ???? @russellmark1226

A photo posted by Michael Phelps (@m_phelps00) on Jul 16, 2016 at 1:39pm PDT

 

But they both knew when they stepped up to the blocks that only one of them could stand at the top of the podium.

And the race…wasn’t even close. Phelps absolutely dominated, becoming the first Olympic swimmer to win four consecutive gold medals in the same event.

.@MichaelPhelps DOMINATES on his way to ANOTHER #GOLD Medal! #Rio2016 http://pic.twitter.com/Mx7XVCq7Es

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 12, 2016

 

I mean tho… #Phelps http://pic.twitter.com/EIBQ04kVCS

— TD St Matthew-Daniel (@ProducerTD) August 12, 2016

 

Many have suggested that this would be the final Olympic showdown for Phelps and Lochte, so NBC asked both swimmers what they thought:

Phelps: “This is it.”

Lochte: “I need to take some time off – mentally and physically – but if it’s still fun…”

Lochte also noted that he “didn’t buy it” that Phelps was really retiring, telling CBS’s Ben Tracy that Phelps would “be back for more.”

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