The Rockstar of Swimming

Ryan Lochte. The Lochtenator. The Rockstar. The Reezy Deezy. An Olympic gold medalist at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, Ryan Lochte is one of the greatest individual medley swimmers in history, setting numerous American and world records in both the short course and long course formats. In addition to being a star in the pool, Lochte is a star outside the pool as well. Lochte has signed lucrative endorsement deals because of his popularity in the swimming world and good-humor attitude. He holds multiple world records – including taking down Phelps’ 200 IM record in 2009 – and has won 6 Olympic medals (3 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze). 

Quiet Domination

Ryan Lochte quickly and quietly became a major player on the international circuit, scoring an individual silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in the 200 IM. In the same Olympics, Lochte was also part of the now-infamous 800 freestyle relay that upset the heavily-favored Australians bid for distance relay supremacy. Later, at the University of Florida, Lochte became one of the most dominant college swimmers of all-time, earning NCAA Swimmer of the Year honors his senior year, completing a successful hat-trick in all three individual events competed. His 100 yard backstroke time – 44.60 – still stands today.

Jeah!

While much is known about Ryan Lochte’s swimming success, perhaps more is known about his irreverent and off-beat personality. Arguably one of the best interviews in swimming today, Lochte has been known to give the sport some flair, like showing up to swimming’s annual awards show, The Golden Goggles, donning an all-white leisure suit, or wearing a “grill” on the medal podium. In an interview with the NY Times, Lochte says about being coached by his mother in his youth, “I used to try and get kicked out of practice every day. That was my idea of fun.” Lochte is a “swimmer’s swimmer,” working hard, playing hard, and having fun along the way. His laid-back attitude helped initiate a long-standing friendship with rival Michael Phelps, as the two of them together form arguably the greatest American 1-2 punch in swimming history. 

2009 –

Ryan Lochte’s 2009 was another successful year. After qualifying for the World Championships at the summer national championships, Lochte went on to win gold at the 2009 World Championships in Rome, setting a world record in the 200m IM in the process.  His 2009 athletic success earned Lochte USA Swimming’s Athlete of the Year Award. He continues to train in Florida, looking forward to 2010 and – hopefully – the 2012 Olympics in London.

Two-time Olympian (2008, 2004)

6 Olympic Medals (3 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze)

2008 Olympics (Beijing)
GOLD
200m Backstroke
800m Freestyle Relay
BRONZE
200m IM
400m IM

2004 Olympics (Athens)
GOLD
800m Freestyle Relay
SILVER
200m IM
 
17 World Medals (10 gold, 3 silver, 4 bronze)
2009 World Championships (Rome)
GOLD
200m IM
400m IM
400m Freestyle Relay
800m Freestyle Relay
BRONZE
200m Backstroke

2008 SC World Championships (Manchester)
GOLD
100m IM
200m IM
400m Freestyle Relay

2007 World Championships (Melbourne)
GOLD
200m Backstroke
800m Freestyle Relay
SILVER
100m Backstroke
200m IM

2006 SC World Championships (Shanghai)
SILVER
400m Medley Relay
BRONZE
400m Freestyle Relay
800m Freestyle Relay

2005 World Championships (Montreal)
GOLD
800m Freestyle Relay
BRONZE
200m IM

Current World Records
200m IM - 1:54.10 (2009 World Championships, Rome)
800m Freestyle Relay - 6:58.55 (2009 World Championships, Rome)