Ryan Lochte will swim 400 IM at Olympic trials
Ryan Lochte confirmed Friday that he’ll compete in the 400-meter individual medley at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, answering one of the biggest questions around the event that starts next week at CenturyLink Center.
Lochte raced to gold in the 400 IM at the London Olympics in 2012 but has swum the event less than a dozen times since.
“I tried to hide it all year,” the 31-year-old Lochte said. “It’s one of the hardest events in the sport of swimming, and that’s why I love the event. I love it because you can’t be great in one stroke. You have to be good in everything.”
Last month, Lochte won the race in 4 minutes, 16.92 seconds at the Arena Pro Swim Series meet in Charlotte, N.C. That’s still off the 4:07.06 he clocked in London.
The next test in the event for the 11-time Olympic medalist comes Sunday, the first day of the trials.
Lochte could’ve passed on the 400 IM to save himself for shorter, less-demanding races later in the week, but that’s too easy.
“I could, but then it wouldn’t be fun,” said Lochte, who is entered in five other events. “For me, fun is a challenge. I love having a challenge. You know, the 400 IM, especially how old I am … it’s going to be a challenge.”
Twitter: @nathanfenno
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