Alaska News

Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte back in the news

Michael Phelps added to his record Olympic medal collection Thursday with a gold in the 200-meter IM, edging out teammate Ryan Lochte and becoming the first male swimmer to win the same event three Olympics in a row.

London started out as a bit of a disappointment for Phelps, but he's now won two golds and two silvers in five races and could get even more.

Phelps set the tone in the 200M individual medley from the start. He touched the wall in 1 minute, 54.27 seconds, just off his winning time in Beijing but still good enough for gold, The Associated Press reported.

Phelps became the most decorated Olympian of all time earlier this week by winning his 19th medal, surpassing the record of 18 medals amassed by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina between 1956 and 1964.

Lochte settled for silver in the 200 IM and Hungary's Laszlo Cseh took the bronze.

It was a disappointing night for Lochte, who took bronze in his best event, the 200-meter backstroke, losing out to teammate Tyler Clary, USA Today reported.

Lochte led for most of the event but was overtaken by Clary, who won in an Olympic record time of 1:53.41, beating Lochte's Olympic record of 1:53.94, set in Beijing. Japan's Ryosuke Irie won silver.

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Lochte's career Olympic medal count now stands at 11 -- six gold, three silver and three bronze. That's second only to Phelps.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/world-at-play/michael-phelps-ryan-lochte-win-gold-silver-200-im

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