Mandatory News: Michael Phelps

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Ryan Lochte qualifies fastest in 200 IM, Michael Phelps third

Michael Phelps takes in his 20th ceremony atop the podium

Ryan Lochte of the United States qualified fastest on Wednesday for the semi-finals of the Olympic 200 metres individual medley, two places ahead of his career-long team mate and rival Michael Phelps.

Lochte clocked one minute 57.38 seconds in the afternoon heats, with Philip Heintz of Germany second in 1:57.59 and Phelps third in 1:58.41.

SEE MORE: Everything you need to know about the Summer Olympics

In the same event at London in 2012, Phelps took the gold medal and Lochte won silver.

Phelps was swimming the morning after winning the 20th and 21st gold medals of his career in the 200m butterfly and the 4x200m freestyle relay, in which Lochte won his sixth gold.

"Definitely fatigued a little bit," said Phelps, who told reporters he had got about five hours sleep. "My body hurt a little bit but with some good rest this afternoon I think I"ll be fine."

The 31-year-old added: "I"ve been able to put my body through things like this over the years and hopefully I can keep it rolling one last time.

"Leaving everything in the pool one last time is what I"m going to do, and if that"s good enough to win, we"ll see."

Lochte, 32, said: "This week, we"re just getting started. USA, we always show up when the time"s right. Especially last night and the night before, just seeing USA just rocking and we"re going to keep that really for the rest of the week."

There was plenty for Brazilian fans to celebrate, with Henrique Rodrigues qualifying fourth and Thiago Pereira fifth.

Pereira, swimming in the lane next to Phelps in their heat, excited the crowd by leading him over the butterfly, backstroke and breaststroke legs before the American pulled away with his long easy stroke in the freestyle.

Kosuke Hagino of Japan, who won the 400m individual medley on Saturday, was sixth out of 16 to make it through to the semis.

Swimmer Ryan Lochte poses for a portrait at the U.S. Olympic Committee Media Summit in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California March 7, 2016. "One of my favorite songs is "Sky"s the Limit" by Lil Wayne," said Lochte. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson SEARCH "THE WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Swimmer Ryan Lochte poses for a portrait at the U.S. Olympic Committee Media Summit in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California March 7, 2016. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson SEARCH "THE WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 03: Ryan Lochte of USA competes in the Men"s 200m Freestyle Final on day one of the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) at the Hamad Aquatic Centre on December 3, 2014 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

KAZAN, RUSSIA - AUGUST 08: Ryan Lochte (L) and Nathan Adrian of the United States celebrate winning the gold medal in a new world record time of 3:23.05 in the Mixed 4x100m Freestyle Relay Final on day fifteen of the 16th FINA World Championships at the Kazan Arena on August 8, 2015 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX - JANUARY 16: Ryan Lochte swims in the Men"s 400 meter individual medley during the Arena Pro Swim Series at Austin on January 16, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

US Ryan Lochte competes in the final of the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay swimming event at the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan on August 8, 2015. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images)

KAZAN, RUSSIA - AUGUST 06: Ryan Lochte of the United States competes his way to the gold medal in the Men"s 200m Individual Medley Final on day thirteen of the 16th FINA World Championships at the Kazan Arena on August 6, 2015 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

KAZAN, RUSSIA - AUGUST 05: Ryan Lochte of the United States competes in the Men"s 200m Individual Medley Semi-Finals on day twelve of the 16th FINA World Championships at the Kazan Arena on August 5, 2015 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Jul 1, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Ryan Lochte reacts after the mens 200 meter individual medley final in the U.S. Olympic swimming team trials at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JULY 16: Ryan Lochte talks with the media during the 2016 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Training Camp Media Day on July 16, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

OMAHA, NE - JULY 01: Ryan Lochte of the United States prepares to compete in a final heat for the Men"s 200 Meter Individual Medley during Day Six of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at CenturyLink Center on July 1, 2016 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

OMAHA, NE - JUNE 30: Ryan Lochte of the United States reacts after competing in a semi-final heat for the Men"s 200 Meter Individual Medley during Day Five of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at CenturyLink Center on June 30, 2016 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

OMAHA, NE - JUNE 26: Ryan Lochte of the United States looks on after the final heat for the Men"s 400 Meter Individual Medley during Day One of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at CenturyLink Center on June 26, 2016 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

OMAHA, NE - JUNE 27: Ryan Lochte of the United States looks on after competing in a heat for the Men"s 200 Meter Freestyle during Day Two of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at CenturyLink Center on June 27, 2016 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

OMAHA, NE - JUNE 29: Ryan Lochte of the United States prepares to compete in a preliminary heat of the Men"s 100 meter freestyle during Day 4 of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at CenturyLink Center on June 29, 2016 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images)

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 15: Ryan Lochte swims the breaststroke leg of a preliminary heat of the men"s 200m IM during the 2016 Arena Pro Swim Series at Charlotte swim meet at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center on May 15, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)

MESA, AZ - APRIL 14: Ryan Lochte starts the Men 200 LC Meter Freestyle final at Skyline Aquatic Center on April 14, 2016 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 12: Ryan Lochte and his coach David Marsh speak to the media at a press conference prior to the 2016 Arena Pro Swim Series Charlotte swim meet at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center on May 12, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)

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Source: http://www.aol.com/article/2016/08/10/ryan-lochte-qualifies-fastest-in-200-im-michael-phelps-third/21449138/

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

10 Things You Might Not Know About Michael Phelps

UNDER ARMOUR | RULE YOURSELF | MICHAEL PHELPS

All eyes are on swimming phenom Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, as he prepares to hit the pool for the Olympics in Rio. Here are 10 things you might not have known about the super athlete they call the human fish.

When Phelps was 15, he became the youngest swimmer on the U.S. Olympic team since 1932.

In Bejiing in 2008, Phelps won eight gold medals, the most of any athlete in a single Olympic games.

Rather than just one swim cap, Phelps prefers to wear two so that he is more aerodynamic.

Phelps teammates like to call him Gomer, but most people call him Iron Mike.

Since he wears a size 14 shoe, sometimes people playfully refer to his feet as fins.

Phelps renowned dolphin-like kick can be attributed to his double-jointed knees and elbows.

When Michael Phelps was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, aka ADHD, he says it was his mother, Debbie, who taught him to focusin and out of the pool.

He watches SportsCenter and sleeps in order to relax when hes done in the pool.

Even Michael Phelpsthe most decorated Olympian of all timehas a favorite athlete. His happens to be Michael Jordan.

To prepare for the Olympics, Phelps swims for two to five hours a day, six to seven days a week.

Visit teamusa.org to learn more about the Olympics in Rio.

Source: http://parade.com/488473/samanthacoley/10-things-you-might-not-know-about-michael-phelps/