Looking back to Beijing, I remember that the quest to write something new about each one of Michael Phelps’ eight gold medals seemed nearly as tough as Phelps winning eight gold medals.
I called marketing experts and dieticians. I talked to Chinese waitresses about him. The biggest news was when he almost lost.
It’s four years later and Phelps’ challenges are greater. They’re in the form of one Ryan Lochte. He tagged along Phelps’ jet stream in Beijing, but has appeared to pull even with him — or passed him — as the U.S. Olympic Swimming trials are scheduled to begin Monday in Omaha.
While much of this state will hang on every stroke of Centennial’s 17-year-old wunderkind, Missy Franklin, much of the swimming world will hang on the biggest rivalry in swimming.
Phelps vs. Lochte.
How they do this week could determine who wins gold in London. Both have legacies staring them right in the goggles. Phelps has won 16 Olympic medals. Three more and he passes Russian gymnast Larisa Latynina from the 1950s and ’60s as the most decorated Olympian. His 14 gold are an all-time record.
For Lochte, 27, he can go down in history as the swimmer who finally slayed the dragon. He already has. He beat Phelps in the 200 individual medley and took his world record with it in the 2010 world championships then broke the record again in last year’s worlds.
“Obviously, he has kind of destroyed me over the last several years at major meets,” Phelps told reporters at Saturday’s news conference. “Obviously, he has been lighting up the swimming world.”
But let’s face it. Phelps, 26, transcends sport and the average couch potato focuses on swimming once every four years. That time arrives next month in London.
Phelps has signed up for seven individual events. Counting the three relays, he could conceivably win 10 medals in London. That won’t happen. Four years ago at the trials, he scratched three events and likely will do that again.
It will be interesting to see which ones he’ll choose. Lochte is ranked first in the U.S. in four of Phelps’ events: the 200 and 400 individual medley (Phelps is ranked second and third, respectively), in the 200 freestyle (Phelps is second) and 200 backstroke (Phelps is third).
If his times don’t improve, Phelps’ legacy won’t be tarnished, but he may be one ugly bridesmaid in London.
“I’ve seen enough in practice to think he is going to be pretty close to his times,” said his coach, Bob Bowman. “We will see which side, the better side or on the not-quite-there side.”
Phelps, who admits he only started training seriously the last year and a half, is ranked No. 1 in the 100 butterfly where he still holds the world record and 100 freestyle (Lochte is fifth).
But Lochte has ignited a flame under the rivalry by saying, “It’s my time.”
“Does it bother me?” Phelps said. “If it does, it’s used as motivation. … A lot of people can talk the talk, but sometimes they can’t get in and walk the walk. There is no need to put yourself out there if you don’t know if you can really do it.”
We’ll likely find out Monday night. Phelps is expected to face Lochte in the grueling 400 IM in which Phelps is the two-time defending Olympic champ and still has the world record. But Lochte is ranked ahead of him this year.
“Michael Phelps set the limit: eight world records, eight gold medals,” Lochte said. “That’s amazing. But he’s human. He’s not a fish. He’s just like all of us and he trained really hard to get there.
“I’ve gotten a lot faster, so now I think, definitely, especially going into this meet and hopefully London, this is going to be one of the biggest rivalries ever.”
John Henderson: 303-954-1299, johnhendersonDP or jhenderson @denverpost.com
