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Lochte breaks record, beats Phelps again
Ryan Lochte became the first swimmer to break a long course world record since controversial polyurethane swimsuits were banned last year while James Magnussen ended a far longer Australian wait at the world championships on Thursday.
Ryan Lochte became the first swimmer to break a long course world record since controversial polyurethane swimsuits were banned last year while James Magnussen ended a far longer Australian wait at the world championships on Thursday.
Lochte, pushed every stroke of the way, managed to hold off compatriot and Olympic champion Michael Phelps in the men's 200m individual medley and break his own record in one minute 54.00sec.
The 26-year-old was 0.10 faster than the time he set at the Rome world championships in 2009. Phelps was a fingertip behind in 1:54.16.
“It was definitely something I wanted to do, something that everyone thought wasn't possible that the world record (would) be touched again," Lochte told reporters.
While Lochte and Phelps brought the crowd to their feet in the Oriental Sports Centre, millions of Australians were surely on theirs shortly afterwards as 20-year-old Magnussen ended the country's 43-year wait for the blue riband men's 100 freestyle title.
Australia had not won the title in a global meet since Mike Wenden took Olympic gold in Mexico City in 1968. Lochte’s was the first long course world record since the polyurethane swimsuits, which helped swimmers set 43 in Rome, were banned from the start of last year.
