LOS ANGELES—Ryan Lochte fired off an early message to his rivals at next year’s London Olympics, saying, “I’m ready to rock this thing. Come London, I want to turn some heads.”
The two-time Olympian capped a stellar season by winning male athlete of the year over Michael Phelps at the Golden Goggles on Sunday night.
Teenager Missy Franklin won female athlete of the year as USA Swimming honored its top performers.
Lochte’s season included two head-to-head victories over Phelps at last summer’s world championships in Shanghai.
“I’ve been getting faster since 2008. I’m a better athlete and a better swimmer,” Lochte said.
He said he’s putting everything into making another Olympic team and winning gold in London.
“A couple guys might have something to say about that. They can talk all they want,” Lochte said. “I would like to see them stop me. This is my year.”
Lochte also won for men’s race of the year for his performance in the 200-meter backstroke at Shanghai, where he set the first world record since high-tech suits were banned. Lochte won six medals at worlds.
Phelps, who didn’t attend, was shut out in four nominations.
Lochte nearly dropped the first trophy he received.
“I got it, don’t worry,” he assured the crowd at the JW Marriott at LA Live. “I wouldn’t get this if it wasn’t for Michael. He’s pushed me to so many limits. We have a great sportsmanship and a great rivalry.”
Lochte proved a popular draw at the eighth annual awards hosted by comedian Kevin Nealon. He signed autographs and posed for photos with young fans and even a few Moms.
The fashion fiend was dressed in a cream jacket accented with a polka dot scarf and black velvet slippers adorned with the initials ‘RL’ for sponsor Ralph Lauren.
“It’s different from what I usually wear,” he said. “It’s a more classy look, but it still has that rockin’ Ryan Lochte persona. I liked the shoes and I asked if I could keep them and they said, ‘Yes.'”
Franklin, a 16-year-old from Colorado, capped a breakout season by winning female athlete honors, presented by Janet Evans, who is making a comeback at age 40.
“I have no idea why I’m standing up here right now,” Franklin said. “I definitely don’t feel like I deserve this.”
She also won female race of the year for her gold-medal showing in the 200 backstroke at worlds and relay performance as part of the winning women’s 400 medley relay. She won five medals at worlds.
A week ago, Franklin had her braces removed and her smile was radiant.
“I gave my orthodontist an ultimatum,” she said. “It feels great. I had my first apple. It tasted as good as I thought it would be.”
Franklin shared the relay award with teammates Natalie Coughlin, Rebecca Soni and Dana Vollmer, who won the medley relay at worlds for the first time since 1998.
Florida’s Gregg Troy won coach of the year. He was an assistant on the men’s team in Shanghai and coaches Lochte among other athletes.
Peter Vanderkaay received the perseverance award. The former Michigan swimmer relocated to Gainesville, Fla., and had three top-eight finishes at worlds while winning a gold as part of the men’s 800 freestyle relay.
Open water swimmer Alex Meyer was chosen breakout performer. He won the national 10k open water title and became the first U.S. swimmer to qualify for the London Olympics.
The winners were selected by a nine-member panel in combination with online fan voting.
