Michael Phelps Defeated In First Final Since Comeback

Michael Phelps took second to Ryan Lochte in his first competitive final since the London Olympics, a 100m butterfly at the Arena Grand Prix at Mesa, Ariz., on Thursday night.

Lochte, whose best strokes are freestyle and backstroke, won in 51.93 seconds. The unretired Phelps clocked 52.13 after swimming the fastest time in the preliminary heats earlier Thursday, 52.84, one tenth faster than Lochte
.
The first day of Phelps’ comeback is in the books. How does he feel?

“I’m my hardest critic, so I know what I can do there,” Phelps, a 22-time Olympic medalist, said of the 100m butterfly. “But, like I’ve been saying this whole time, I’m having fun. I really do mean that. There’s nothing like being able to come here, swimming in front of packed stands.”

He cherished racing the 11-time Olympic medalist Lochte, whom he battled after the 2008 Olympics and through the 2012 Olympics to be the world’s best swimmer.

“That’s what makes us swim faster and faster each time,” Phelps said.

NBC Olympics analyst Rowdy Gaines said Phelps appeared to have more of a game face on for the night final than he did for the morning prelim. Phelps and Lochte were side by side at night, both in white caps and dark jammer swim trunks.

“I think I was more calm tonight,” Phelps said. “I don’t know if that was a good thing or not.”

Lochte led at the 50m turn and took a peek at Phelps coming off the wall amid a setting sun outside at Skyline Aquatics Center.

Michael Phelps had to settle for second in his first final since returning to the pool.
The 22-time Olympic medallist lost to rival Ryan Lochte in the 100 metres butterfly final at the Arena Grand Prix in Arizona on Thursday night.
Lochte touched first in 51.93 seconds, second-fastest in the world this year. Phelps took second in 52.13 in his first meet since retiring after the 2012 London Olympics.
"I swam a final again," a smiling Phelps said. "I said I wanted to be around 52.0 and I would be completely happy with that."
He is the three-time Olympic champion and current world record-holder in the event. His time tied for fourth-quickest in the world.
"It's one meet; it's one race," Phelps said. "It's a long way whether I decide to continue or not. This was awesome. I'm really excited about how things went. I do know what I need to do if I want to continue and swim faster."
Olympian Jason Dunford of Kenya finished third in 53.08. Phelps was faster in the final than he was while winning his preliminary heat with a time of 52.84.
"My stroke was a little rushed tonight," he said. "It was way more relaxed this morning." Swimming before a sell-out crowd and lots of cameras, Lochte led at the turn and Phelps was second.
"Down there at the turn I kind of peeked over and I saw him and almost started smiling," Lochte said about his long-time friend and rival.
Phelps interjected: "Why? Because you were ahead?"
An on-deck interviewer reminded Phelps that his mother has said she wants to go to Rio for the 2016 Olympics, which would be his fifth.
"Whatever he wants," Debbie Phelps shouted from the stands. Phelps replied: "Good mother."
Phelps was not smiling as he walked on deck for the final, unlike in the preliminary rounds. He kept his ear buds in until he was introduced as an 18-time Olympic gold medallist. With his long hair sticking out from the back of his cap, he dived in next to Lochte, who beat him down to the first turn.
"I probably wouldn't have gone that time if Phelps wasn't in that pool with me. We push each other all the time," said Lochte, whose rivalry and friendship with Phelps dates to 2004.
"With what he's done for the sport of swimming and him leaving kind of broke my heart a little because I love getting on those blocks and racing him. Now that he's back, I've got a big ol' smile on my face."
Lochte is trying to regain his own form after missing five months with a knee injury. He changed coaches and relocated from Florida to North Carolina after the London Games. Coach Bob Bowman said Phelps was better technically in the morning than at night.
"He missed a whole stroke on the turn," Bowman said. "My expectations were he would come and maybe enjoy it and not be terrible, so all those were met. That's a really good time to start with."
Phelps said "that may have been the worst turn that I have ever done in my entire life." Next up for Phelps is the 50 freestyle on Friday, when he will swim the prelims doing the butterfly stroke for training.
Earlier on Thursday, retired speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno, the most decorated US Winter Olympian, tweeted good luck to Phelps, saying, "Excited to see you back brother."
The three-day meet sold out every session the day Phelps' comeback was announced last week, with a capacity of 1,200 at Skyline Aquatic Center. A pair of $40 all-session tickets was being advertised online for $250. USA Swimming issued 100 media credentials - five times more than usual.
The possible future of American swimming finished second in the final of the 100m fly. Michael Andrew, a 15-year-old from Lawrence, Kansas, was runner-up to Olympian Matt Grevers. He has broken more than 30 national age-group records and last June became the youngest US male swimmer to turn pro. He was excited to meet his idol Phelps on Wednesday.
"Swimming needs you!" he tweeted after they traded handshakes. "You rock!"
Both of Phelps' times were easily good enough to surpass the qualifying standard of 54.79 for the US national championships in August. That meet will decide the team for next year's world championships.
"One step at a time," he said in the morning.

Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/more/sport/story/302501.html#0meDAKqbDHRJYjXX.99