Duel in the Pool

When I was making my list of “wants” for Olympic tickets, one of the events close to the top of that list was the final of the Men’s 200m Individual Medley, in the Aquatic Centre, which pitted Olympic legend Michael Phelps against his long-time rival Ryan Lochte.

Coming into this Olympics, Phelps was already the holder of a scarcely-credible 14 Olympic Gold medals.  Lochte, on the other hand, was portrayed by many sections of the media as the “new kid on the block” (errantly, as it happens... Lochte is actually 11 months older than Phelps)...

I was working in the USA the week before the Games, and everywhere I looked, there were magazine covers/posters/advertisements, showing Lochte as their poster boy – typically clad in just his briefs... (he is no Jessica Ennis, I’ll say that much)......  On paper, Lochte HAD to win this race – he has had superiority over Phelps for some months, and comprehensively outwitted him in the 400m IM, earlier in the week.

I’m pleased to report that this race was not contested on paper, but was contested in water...

From the first buzzer, Phelps stormed into the lead, roared on by a raucous, partisan crowd.  A crowd who, realistically, had believed that they would never again see the most successful ever Olympian win an individual Gold, were treated to a majestic masterclass of medley, by the magnificent maestro Michael !!

It was a genuine privilege for me, to be present when Phelps won that Gold medal. Furthermore, 24 hours later, I was at the Aquatic Centre again, as he won the 100m butterfly.  He is retiring from the sport after this evening’s medley relay, and will be talked about by future generations a true all-time sporting great.