We interrupt the coronation of Ryan Lochte to raise whether or not he had any business representing his country within the marquee relay of the Olympic Games.
Lochte could be America's best swimmer, however he blew the lead — and also the gold medal — within the final leg of the 400-meter freestyle relay on Sunday.
France won, leaving second place and second-guessing to the Americans.
From the French perspective, this was a wonderful response, four years within the creating. once Jason Lezak delivered a miracle final leg during a come-from-behind U.S. victory over France four years ago, Yannick Agnel did an equivalent for France against the Americans.
From the yankee perspective, there was Michael Phelps, cradling a silver medal that dangled from a necklace of purple ribbon.
"This is my 1st silver," he said.
That silver — to travel with fourteen golds and 2 bronzes — moves him to among one among tying the career record for Olympic medals. He said he couldn't complain concerning winning a medal, however he hardly embraced its color.
"It is incredibly frustrating," he said. "This are going to be one thing which will inspire us."
So would possibly the performance of Dana Vollmer, who set a world record in winning the women's a hundred butterfly, the second gold for the U.S. Vollmer swam the race in fifty five.98 seconds, changing into the primary yankee girl — and second overall — to ascertain a world record since the high-tech swimsuits were banned however the records set in them weren't.
"Being the Olympic champion is most significant," she said. "The world record is that the icing on the cake."
Vollmer, a former Cal swimmer, did not qualify for Beijing four years ago. She expanded her coaching from swimming to incorporate hip-hop dance, yoga and Pilates, switched to a gluten-free diet and failed to keep from publicly stating her goal of breaking the 56-second barrier.
"I grasp I are often faster," she said.
Allison Schmitt set an yankee record in winning silver within the women's four hundred freestyle, behind Camille Muffat of France. Brendan Hansen won bronze within the a hundred breaststroke, duplicating his end within the 2004 Olympics. He finished fourth within the event in 2008.
The relay that resulted in disappointment started, well, swimmingly.
Nathan Adrian swam the primary leg, giving the U.S. the lead. Phelps swam the second leg, redeeming himself for a dismal Saturday by tripling the lead. Cullen Jones swam the third leg, maintaining a cushty lead.
Lochte had a hundred meters to victory. He lost the lead among fifty meters and had nothing left.
"The a hundred free, i do not extremely swim it," Lochte said. "I haven't swam it during a lasting. i believe i used to be simply extremely excited. I overswam the primary fifty, which type of hurt me for the last fifty.
"You would assume, doing distance events, i would not get tired, however sprinting undoubtedly takes lots out of you."
U.S. Coach Gregg Troy noticed hassle in Lochte's 1st few strokes.
"That's not his race," Troy said. "The 1st fifty was manner too quick for him. Coaching error."
Lochte could be America's best swimmer, however he blew the lead — and also the gold medal — within the final leg of the 400-meter freestyle relay on Sunday.
France won, leaving second place and second-guessing to the Americans.
From the French perspective, this was a wonderful response, four years within the creating. once Jason Lezak delivered a miracle final leg during a come-from-behind U.S. victory over France four years ago, Yannick Agnel did an equivalent for France against the Americans.
From the yankee perspective, there was Michael Phelps, cradling a silver medal that dangled from a necklace of purple ribbon.
"This is my 1st silver," he said.
That silver — to travel with fourteen golds and 2 bronzes — moves him to among one among tying the career record for Olympic medals. He said he couldn't complain concerning winning a medal, however he hardly embraced its color.
"It is incredibly frustrating," he said. "This are going to be one thing which will inspire us."
So would possibly the performance of Dana Vollmer, who set a world record in winning the women's a hundred butterfly, the second gold for the U.S. Vollmer swam the race in fifty five.98 seconds, changing into the primary yankee girl — and second overall — to ascertain a world record since the high-tech swimsuits were banned however the records set in them weren't.
"Being the Olympic champion is most significant," she said. "The world record is that the icing on the cake."
Vollmer, a former Cal swimmer, did not qualify for Beijing four years ago. She expanded her coaching from swimming to incorporate hip-hop dance, yoga and Pilates, switched to a gluten-free diet and failed to keep from publicly stating her goal of breaking the 56-second barrier.
"I grasp I are often faster," she said.
Allison Schmitt set an yankee record in winning silver within the women's four hundred freestyle, behind Camille Muffat of France. Brendan Hansen won bronze within the a hundred breaststroke, duplicating his end within the 2004 Olympics. He finished fourth within the event in 2008.
The relay that resulted in disappointment started, well, swimmingly.
Nathan Adrian swam the primary leg, giving the U.S. the lead. Phelps swam the second leg, redeeming himself for a dismal Saturday by tripling the lead. Cullen Jones swam the third leg, maintaining a cushty lead.
Lochte had a hundred meters to victory. He lost the lead among fifty meters and had nothing left.
"The a hundred free, i do not extremely swim it," Lochte said. "I haven't swam it during a lasting. i believe i used to be simply extremely excited. I overswam the primary fifty, which type of hurt me for the last fifty.
"You would assume, doing distance events, i would not get tired, however sprinting undoubtedly takes lots out of you."
U.S. Coach Gregg Troy noticed hassle in Lochte's 1st few strokes.
"That's not his race," Troy said. "The 1st fifty was manner too quick for him. Coaching error."
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