Olympics: Lochte undone by tough double
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US swimmer Ryan Lochte poses with his bronze medal after the podium ceremony for the men's 200m backstroke swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, 2012 in London. -- PHOTO: AFP
LONDON (AFP) - US swim star Ryan Lochte's London Olympics ended with a whimper on Thursday as a brutal backstroke-medley double failed to yield gold and he succumbed yet again to old foe Michael Phelps.
"I am done now," Lochte said, ruling out an appearance in the 4x100m medley relay.
"I have a birthday tomorrow and this is the first time in a couple of years where I have one and I don't have to swim." Lochte, who was celebrating his 28th birthday on Friday, had declared 2012 to be "my time".
After watching Phelps win eight gold medals in Beijing four years ago, the versatile and talented Lochte dedicated himself to improving, and over the past two years had eclipsed his illustrious compatriot as the world's dominant male swimmer.
