London Olympics: Ryan Lochte misses, but Missy Franklin’s a hit

LONDON — In the first three days of the Olympic swimming meet, the United States has set one world record. Dana Vollmer did that.

Matt Grevers set an Olympic record. Missy Franklin set an American record.

The two cover boys of the U.S. team, Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, have set no records.

Lochte won gold in the 400-meter individual medley on Saturday — and declared, “This is my time” — then stumbled to fourth in the 200 freestyle on Monday. Phelps tumbled to fourth in the 400 IM on Saturday. Lochte blew the U.S. lead in the 400 freestyle relay on Sunday.

To an American public conditioned by Phelps’ eight-for-eight gold show in Beijing four years ago, the lessons are twofold: 1) that the U.S. depth goes beyond Phelps and Lochte; 2) that the world depth goes beyond Phelps and Lochte.

“What everyone is learning here — and what we are remembering — is that any kind of medal is very hard,” said Bob Bowman, the coach for Phelps.

“I think people think Michael just went over to the medal tree and picked one off every night. I think that makes Michael’s accomplishments in Beijing all the more impressive.”

Phelps’ fourth-place finish Saturday appears more of an anomaly with each succeeding swim. He’ll try for his 18th Olympic medal Tuesday, which would tie the career record.

Lochte’s Olympics appear headed in reverse, an ill-timed turn for a swimmer whose larger-than-life image is draped over the side of a massive building just outside Olympic Park, on an advertisement for Gillette.

He faded at the end of his swim Sunday and did the same Monday, turning a would-be silver medal with 50 meters to go into no medal at all.

“I put everything into it, and I guess it wasn’t there,” Lochte said.

Gregg Troy, the coach of the U.S. men’s team and the personal coach for Lochte, said the relay swim Sunday “hurt him a little” on Monday.

Lochte is expected to swim in the 800-meter freestyle relay Tuesday. The finals for his two remaining individual events are scheduled minutes apart on Thursday.

“The greatest athletes suffer the Hardest defeats before the biggest and best moments of your life,” Lochte tweeted late Monday night. “God has a plain for everyone :)”

That tweet was soon followed by this one: “I meant God has a plan not plain! Long day!”

And this one: “I nee(d) some energy for tomorrow race,” with a plea for Gatorade and Mountain Dew.

That was not the height of swimming weirdness Monday. Breeja Larson jumped into the pool all by herself at the start of the 100 breaststroke final, an apparent false start. An official had inadvertently sounded a horn before the swimmers were ordered to their marks, and Larson was the only swimmer who did not realize the mistake.

After an official review, Larson got a second chance and finished sixth. U.S. teammate Rebecca Soni, who won silver, said she could not say whether the incident affected her result.

“We have our timetable,” Soni said. “Sitting on the pool deck for five minutes is not part of it.”

Grevers and Nick Thoman delivered a 1-2 finish for the U.S. in the 100 backstroke. In Beijing, Grevers finished second to world-record holder and two-time Olympic champion Aaron Peirsol.

“I came so close in 2008,” Grevers said. “When Aaron announced he was retired, I knew it was a great opportunity.”

As Phelps and Lochte struggled to meet expectations, Franklin had no trouble meeting hers. In the first individual event of her Olympic career, the 100 backstroke, the bubbly 17-year-old with toenails painted red, white and blue won gold.

Lochte paused before speaking with reporters so he could watch Franklin’s race on the television in the media area. When Franklin came through the area a few minutes later, she was beyond animated.

“I got an Olympic gold medal!” she said. “It is exceeding my expectations by a hundred billion times.”

bill.shaikin@latimes.com

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