Ryan Lochte reaffirmed his status as the world's best all round swimmer when he beat Michael Phelps at the US Olympic swimming trials on Tuesday to book his spot on the American team for London.
Lochte comfortably prevailed in the opening round of his heavyweight clash with Phelps when he won the 400 metres individual medley.
Phelps, who had led after the opening butterfly leg but dropped back to third place heading into the final freestyle leg, finished second.
Lochte already has six Olympic medals, including three gold, from his previous two trips to the Games.
After winning five gold medals in Shanghai last year to surpass Phelps as swimming's new standardbearer, Lochte is expected to swim in at least six events at London.
Phelps won the 400 medley at each of the past two Olympics and holds the world record which he set when he won his record eight gold medals in Beijing.
But the 26-year-old, who had struggled for motivation after the last Olympics, had initially planned to drop the gruelling event from his programme before having a late change of heart.
Phelps, who is set to go head to head with Lochte in up to five events at the trials, says he is pleased with the medley result and says it's an event he's done his whole career so he wants to finish with it.
