12-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte was having a tough run at the Beijing Olympics. He would come seconds close to beating the legendary Michael Phelps but not win in the end. When sports rivalries are considered, Lochte and Phelps are a common topic of discussion among enthusiasts.

In a May 2022 article, Swimming World Magazine discussed the intricacies of the rivalry. Additionally, they explored Ryan’s secret mantra to beat his formidable adversary.

Ryan Lochte knew he could win

A common opinion after the Beijing Olympics races was that Lochte was not making progress; although this is not true. Surely, he was not able to beat Phelps, but he was a regular presence at global podiums.

Furthermore, he set the world record in Melbourne, when he broke Aaron Peirsol’s unbeaten streak of six years in the 200 Backstroke. By doing so, Lochte proved himself capable of being considered a danger to his opponents. This was the confidence that he so desperately needed.

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“I believe in myself,” the swimmer said. “A lot of people look at Michael and think he can’t be beaten. That’s not me. I know I can beat him. That’s that competitive edge that I have. I never feel like I’m going to lose, no matter who I’m racing. I always feel like I can win.”

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It was at the 2010 US National Championships when Ryan finally beat the most decorated swimmer in Olympics’ history; a moment that he would forever cherish for the rest of his days. Swimming side-by-side in the high-profile race, Ryan managed to get the best of Phelps as he reached the finish line a second before him in the 200 IM.

There was no turning back

As a result of Lochte’s dedicated efforts, Phelps was defeated by him in the 200 freestyle and 200 individual medley events at the 2011 World Championships, where Lochte won four individual gold medals. Lochte adjusted his diet and became the World Swimmer of the Year. Meanwhile, Phelps was skipping training and not being as committed as he had been earlier in his career.

The all-time record holder for Olympic gold medals wasn’t used to being overshadowed. In conclusion, he didn’t like the defeats to Lochte. “Lochte was the antithesis of Phelps,” stated the article. While both swimmers showed spurs of brilliance when they were racing, they were quite opposite personalities outside the pool.

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