Olympics: Clary beats Lochte to win 200m backstroke gold
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Tyler Clary of the United States celebrates after winning the men's 200m backstroke final during the London 2012 Olympic Games. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON (REUTERS) - Tyler Clary upset his American team mate Ryan Lochte to win the men's 200m backstroke gold medal at the London Olympics on Thursday.
Lochte led at all the turns but faded on the last lap as Clary drew level with him then got his hands on the wall first in a tight finish to win his first Olympic gold medal a time of one minute, 53.41 seconds.
Japan's Ryosuke Irie, runner-up to Lochte at last year's world championships, also made a late charge to grab the silver while Lochte won the bronze.
Lochte won the same event in Beijing four years ago and was attempting an extraordinary double on Thursday, trying to win the 200 backstroke and 200 individual medley within half an hour.
