12-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte returned to competition this week in Palo Alto, California at the Phillips 66 U.S. National Championships. This was Lochte’s first time racing since his 14-month suspension for an anti-doping rules violation. Lochte kicked his meet off with a 200 IM time trial where he dropped a 1:57.88. That was his fastest time in the event since the 2016 Rio Olympics. Later in the week, Lochte lowered that mark, winning the 200 IM title in 1:57.76.
Lochte raced a lot at nationals, and a lot of his swims weren’t impressive, but they were solid considering he hasn’t been training much. Understandably, fatherhood has taken up a lot of time. Lochte’s older now, he’s old man Lochte at 35. It appears he intends to completely shed his bad boy image and buckle-down on the run-up to the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha next June.
I want your thoughts and opinions. He’s dropped a 1:57.76 200 IM. He won nationals. And he’s Ryan Lochte. What are his chances of making the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team? I think he’s on the bubble, but I also think he’s dangerous. 35 is just young enough to be threat to anyone in the final heat at U.S. Trials. I think Ryan’s got a 1:55 low in him, and that could make Team USA. Ryan certainly has a lot to prove, and he is still the World Record holder with a 1:54 flat. (On a side note, I wonder what Michael Phelps could pop in the 200 IM…if he decided to get back into training for this one event?)
What are your predictions? What do you think?
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This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.
you really want to hear about a swimming legend then look up william sadlo from whitestone queens,ny……old timer from the 30’s………hes listed in the swimmers hall of fame
US needs to stop sending Masters swimmers at the Olympics.
He sounds like Vin Deisel in the Fast & Furious movies. “I gotta get this done… FOR MY FAMILY.”
Yes he can made Olympic team. Enough 1:56,0 või 1:56,3. Behind Chase Kalisz.
Count me in – I think Lochte can make the team with a 1:55 low
I think if Ryan makes the team, he medals, possibly even gold. I would focus training on the 200 IM and 200 free only. We’ve never really seen what an in-shape Lochte can do with a much narrower event focus. He has the coach and the teammates and the dryland/weights program to get there. Does he still have the work ethic and the drive to be the best? I think Nationals showed him what he needed to see: He still has it if he wants it.
How awkward and potentially demoralizing would it be for Lochte if Dressel pops a fast 200 IM in the spring and decides to train for it?
I had also been hoping Dressel would go for the 2IM, but he’s been pretty quiet about it, and I think it’s because of the Tokyo schedule. Too much conflict with the 100 Free and 100 Fly: https://staging.swimswam.com/its-here-the-aquatics-schedule-for-the-2020-olympic-games-in-tokyo/
After 2015, you went a little nuts on the MP predictions
(1:51.9 200 fly, 49.9 100, 1:53.89 2 IM)
Glad to see this. I think that Lochte can get back to 1:55 shape, and if he does, he’ll get at least 2nd.
I DON’T think he should swim the 400 IM at OT’s. But I think he should swim it leading up to OT’s and at least train for it. The best 200 IMers are the best 400 imers.
Michael Andrew begs to differ on that last 200IM statement