Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps finished second to fellow countryman Ryan Lochte Monday night at the Olympic trials in the 400-meter individual medley.
Lochte also beat Phelps in the head-to-head competition in last year’s world championships.
“The first race is always the hardest,” Lochte said, according to a report by The Associated Press. “I can take a deep breath now, relax, and whatever happens, happens.”
Lochte’s time was 4:07.06 while Phelps was just behind at 4:07.89. “I was very pleased with that,” Phelps said. “I said if I went 4:07, I’d be happy.”
Phelps, who plans to retire after this summer’s Olympics with an Olympic-best 14 gold medals, is considered to have fallen back a notch, while Lochte is considered the world’s best.
“I’m definitely ready tear it up in London and show the world what the USA is all about,” Lochte said.
