Battle Breakdown: Michael Phelps vs. Ryan Lochte in the 200 IM
By Rachel Lutz ••
The 200m individual medley – a true test of a swimmer’s speed, versatility and endurance – has been won at every Olympics since 2004 by Michael Phelps. It’s been won at the world championships every year since 2009 by Ryan Lochte. The standing world record – set at the 2011 World Championships – belongs to Lochte.
Phelps came out on top at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Nebraska on July 1, clocking 1:55.91. Lochte was second in 1:56.22, even while still nursing a groin injury. But both earned the opportunity to swim it at the Rio Olympics.
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images
The USA Basketball Men's National Team celebrates after winning the Gold Medal Game against Serbia on Day 16 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on Aug. 21, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Ashton Eaton of the United States celebrates winning gold overall after the Men's Decathlon 1500m on Day 13 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 18, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
AFP/Getty Images
Gold medallists USA's guard Lindsay Whalen, USA's guard Sue Bird, USA's forward Seimone Augustus, USA's forward Maya Moore, USA's power forward Breanna Stewart, USA's small forward Angel Mccoughtry, USA's forward Tamika Catchings, USA's small forward Elena Delle Donne, USA's guard Diana Taurasi, USA's centre Sylvia Fowles, USA's centre Tina Charles and USA's centre Brittney Griner pose after the final of the Women's basketball competition at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 20, 2016, during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
AFP/Getty Images
Bronze medallist USA's David Boudia poses during the podium ceremony of the Men's 10m Platform final during the diving event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 20, 2016.
Getty Images
Bronze medalists Sharif Sharifov of Azerbaijan (L) and J'den Michael Tbory Cox of the United States pose on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's Freestyle 86kg Wrestling on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 2 on Aug. 20, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Gold medalist, Dalilah Muhammad of the United States, poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women's 400m Hurdles on Day 14 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 19, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Bronze medalist Ashley Spencer of the United States, poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women's 400m Hurdles on Day 14 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 19, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
AFP/Getty Images
USA's gold medallist team poses on the podium after the women's water polo final against Italy at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 19, 2016.
Getty Images
Connor Fields celebrates with his gold medal after winning the Men's BMX Final on day 14 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic BMX Centre on Aug. 19, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Silver medalist Alise Post of the United States celebrates during the Women's BMX Final on day 14 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic BMX Centre on Aug. 19, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
AFP/Getty Images
(L-R) Bronze medallist USA's Kristi Castlin, gold medallist USA's Brianna Rollins and silver medallist USA's Nia Ali celebrate after the Women's 100m Hurdles Final during the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 17, 2016.
Getty Images
(L-R) Silver medalist, Joe Kovacs of the United States, gold medalist, Ryan Crouser of the United States, and bronze medalist, Tomas Walsh of New Zealand, pose on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men s Shot Put Final on Day 13 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 18, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Gold medalist, Tianna Bartoletta of the United States, poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's long jump on day 13 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 18, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Dmitri Lovetsky/AP
United States' Joe Kovacs holds his silver medal for the shot put during the athletics competitions of the 2016 Summer Olympics at the Olympic stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug. 18, 2016.
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Silver medalist, Brittney Reese poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's long jump on day 13 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 18, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Brendan Moran/Sportsfile/Getty Images
Kerron Clement of USA with his gold medal after he won the men's 400m hurdles final in the Olympic Stadium, Maracanã, during the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
AFP/Getty Images
USA's Jennifer Simpson poses during the podium ceremony for the women's 1500m of the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 17, 2016.
Getty Images
Bronze medalist Sam Kendricks of USA poses during the medal ceremony for the Men's Pole Vault on day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on Aug. 16, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
AFP/Getty Images
USA's bronze medallists, April Ross (right) and Kerri Walsh Jennings, celebrate on the podium at the end of the women's beach volleyball event at the Beach Volley Arena in Rio de Janeiro late on August 17, 2016, during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Getty Images
Gold medalist Michelle Carter of the United States celebrates on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women's Shot Putnon Day 8 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 13, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
(L-R) Silver medalists Lucy Davis of United States riding Barron, Kent Farrington of the United States riding Voyeur, McLain Ward of United States riding Azur and Elizabeth Madden of United States riding Cortes'c' celebrate during the medal ceremony after the Jumping Team competition on Day 12 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Equestrian Centre on Aug. 17, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Silver medalist Evan Jager of the United States poses during the medal ceremony for the Men's 3000m Steeplechase Final on Day 12 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 17, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Denver Post via Getty Images
Emma Coburn catches an American flag from a fan after the women's 3000-meter steeplechase on Aug. 15, 2016. Coburn won the bronze medal.
Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images
Silver medallist USA's Allyson Felix poses on the podium for the women's 400 meter during the athletics at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 16, 2016.
AFP/Getty Images
Silver medallist USA's Tori Bowie poses on the podium for women's 100m Final at the athletics during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 14, 2016.
AFP/Getty Images
USA's Matt Kuchar poses for a selfie with USA's Bubba Watson after winning the Bronze in the men's individual stroke play final day at the Olympic Golf course during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 14, 2016.
Getty Images
Silver medalist Genevra Stone of the United States celebrates after the medal ceremony for the Women's Single Sculls on Day 8 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Lagoa Stadium on Aug. 13, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
AFP/Getty Images
USA's Will Claye celebrates winning the silver in the Men's Triple Jump Final during the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 16, 2016.
AFP/Getty Images
USA's gold medallists Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jack Sock pose on the podium during the medal ceremony for the mixed doubles tennis event at the Olympic Tennis Centre of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 14, 2016.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Bronze medalist, Ibtihaj Muhammad of the United States celebrates on the podium during the women's sabre team bronze medal match between United States and Italy on day 8 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 3 on Aug. 13, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images
Bronze medallist USA's Sam Kendricks attends the medal ceremony for the men's pole vault during the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 16, 2016.
AFP/Getty Images
USA's Nico Miguel Hernandez poses with his medal after winning in the boxing matches in the Rio Olympics at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 14, 2016.
Getty Images
Silver medalist Simone Manuel of the United States celebrates on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women's 50m Freestyle Final on Day 8 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Aug. 13, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Johnanes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images
Bronze medallist the USA's Clayton Murphy celebrates on the podium for the men's 800 meter during the athletics at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 16, 2016.
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Gold medalist Michelle Carter of the United States celebrates on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women's Shot Put on Day 8 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 13, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
AFP/Getty Images
US Allison M. Brock, US Laura Graves, US Kasey Perry-Glass and US Steffen Peters salute the crowd on the podium after winning the bronze medal of the Equestrian Dressage team competition of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 12, 2016.
Corbis via Getty Images
Sarah Hammer, Kelly Catlin, Chloe Dygert, Jennifer Valente get silver medals for the women's team pursuit finals in track cycling at the Rio Olympic Velodrome.
Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images
Gold medallists USA's Katelin Snyder, USA's Kerry Simmonds, USA's Emily Regan, USA's Amanda Polk, USA's Eleanor Logan, USA's Lauren Schmetterling, USA's Amanda Elmore, USA's Meghan Musnicki and USA's Tessa Gobbo celebrate on the podium of the Women's Eight final rowing competition at the Lagoa stadium during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 13, 2016.
Getty Images
Caleb Paine of the United States celebrates winning the bronze medal in the Finn class on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Marina da Gloria on Aug. 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 12: (L-R) Bronze medalists Miles Chamley-Watson, Race Imboden, Gerek Meinhardt and Alexander Massialas stand on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's Team Foil event on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 3 on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Judoka Kayla Harrison of the United States poses for a photo with her gold medal on the Today show set on Copacabana Beach on Aug. 12, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Judoka, Travis Stevens of the United States poses for a photo with his silver medal on the Today show set on Copacabana Beach on Aug. 10, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
(L-R) Bronze medalists Steve Johnson and Jack Sock of the United States stand on the podium after the Men's Doubles competition on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on Aug. 12, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Bronze medalist Kim Rhode of the United States smiles during the medal ceremony for the Skeet event on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Olympic Shooting Centre on Aug. 12, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Virginia Thrasher of the United States waves after winning the gold medal in the 10m Air Rifle Women's Finals on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Shooting Centre on Aug. 6, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Swimmer David Plummer of the United States poses for a photo with his bronze medal on the Today show set on Copacabana Beach on Aug. 9, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Lars Baron/Getty Images
Gold medalists Alexandra Raisman, Madison Kocian, Lauren Hernandez, Gabrielle Douglas and Simone Biles of the United States pose for photographs with their medals for the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on Aug. 9, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images
USA's silver medal winner Daryl Homer poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the mens individual sabre fencing event of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Carioca Arena 3 in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 10, 2016.
Getty Images
Swimmer Dana Vollner of the United States poses for a photo with her bronze and silver medals on the NBC Today show set at Copacabana Beach on Aug. 8, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Gold medalists Townley Haas, Conor Dwyer, Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps of the United States celebrate during the medal presentation for the Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Aug. 9, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Diver, Sam Dorman of the United States poses for a photo with his silver medal on the Today show set on Copacabana Beach on Aug. 11, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
AFP/Getty Images
USA's Lilly King wrapped in her national flag poses with her gold medal on the podium after she won the Women's 100m Breaststroke Final during the swimming event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 8, 2016.
Corbis via Getty Images
Gold medalist Kristin Armstrong of the United States shows her emotion on the podium at the medal ceremony for the Cycling Road Women's Individual Time Trial on Day 5 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Pontal on Aug. 10, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Gold medalist Katie Ledecky of the United States poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women's 200m Freestyle Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Aug. 9, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Diver David Boudia of the United States poses for a photo with his silver medal on the Today show set on Copacabana Beach on Aug. 9, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
NurPhoto via Getty Images
Michael Phelps from the United States of America kisses his medal during the awarding ceremony of the swimming final of men's 4x100m freestyle relay at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 7, 2016. The United States won the gold medal with 3 minutes 9.92 seconds.
Getty Images
Bronze medallist Phillip Dutton of the United States poses during the medal ceremony for the eventing team Individual final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Equestrian Centre on Aug. 9, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
VCG via Getty Images
USA's gold medallist Virginia Thrasher celebrates on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's 10m air rifle shooting event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Shooting Centre in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 6, 2016.
Getty Images
Silver medalist Maya Dirado of the United States poses during the medal ceremony for the Final of the Women's 400m Individual Medley on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Aug. 6, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Swimmer, Townley Haas of the United States poses for a photo with his gold medal on the Today show set on Copacabana Beach on Aug. 10, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Silver medalist Alexander Massialas of the United States celebrates on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's Individual Foil Finals on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 3 on Aug. 7, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
AFP/Getty Images
USA's Dana Vollmer poses on the podium after she won bronze in the Women's 100m Butterfly Final during the swimming event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 7, 2016.
Getty Images
Gold medalist Katie Ledecky of the United States poses during the medal ceremony for the Women's 400m Freestyle Final on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Aug. 7, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Bronze medalist Cody Miller of the United States poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's 100m Breaststroke Final on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Aug. 7, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Silver medalists David Boudia and Steele Johnson of the United States pose during the medal ceremony for the Men's Diving Synchronised 10m Platform Final on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre on Aug. 8, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Bronze medalist Leah Smith of the United States poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women's 400m Freestyle Final on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Aug. 7, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Gold medalists Nathan Adrian, Ryan Held, Michael Phelps and Caeleb Dressell of the United States pose on the podium during Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Aug. 7, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
AFP/Getty Images
USA's Kathleen Baker poses with her silver medal on the podium of the Women's 100m Backstroke during the swimming event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 8, 2016.
AFP/Getty Images
USA's Ryan Murphy (right) poses on the podium with bronze medallist USA's David Plummer after he won the Men's 100m Backstroke Final during the swimming event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 8, 2016.
Getty Images
Bronze medallist Katie Meili of the United States poses during the medal ceremony for the Women's 100m Breaststroke Final on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Aug. 8, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS
(L-R) Silver medalist, South Africa's Chad Guy Bertrand le Clos, Gold medalist, China's Yang Sun and Bronze medalist Conor Dwyer of the USA at an award ceremony for the men's 200m freestyle event at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at Olympic Aquatics Stadium.
Getty Images
Silver medalist Chase Kalisz of the United States during the medal ceremony for the Final of the Men's 400m Individual Medley on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Aug. 6, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
Bronze medalist Corey Cogdell of the United States smiles on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Womens Trap event during the shooting competition on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Shooting Centre on Aug. 7, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Getty Images
(L-R) Brady Ellison, Zach Garrett and Jake Kaminski of the United States celebrate with their Silver Medals after finishing second during the Men's Team Final match on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Sambodromo on Aug. 6, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
For Lochte, it represents his only opportunity for an individual swim at the Olympics. He did not qualify to defend his 400m IM gold medal from 2012. For Phelps, it is an opportunity to become the only swimmer to win four consecutive gold medals in the same event (he also has this chance in the 100m butterfly).
Lochte recently described their rivalry to media, most easily displayed in the 200m IM, as one of the greatest rivalries in sports.
The two of them own 93 Olympic and world championship medals between the two of them. They combine for the last five world record progressions on top of all ten of the top 10 all-time performances.
Here's how their times break down over the years.
Phelps
Lochte
2003 Worlds
Gold, 1:56.04
Did not swim
2004 Trials
First, 1:56.71
Second, 1:59.41
2004 Olympics
Gold, 1:57.14
Silver, 1:58.78
2005 Worlds
Gold, 1:56.68
Bronze, 1:57.79
2007 Worlds
Gold, 1:54.98
Silver, 1:56.19
2008 Trials
First, 1:54.80
Second, 1:55.22
2008 Olympics
Gold, 1:54.23
Bronze, 1:56.53
2009 Worlds
Did not swim
Gold, 1:54.10
2011 Worlds
Silver, 1:54.16
Gold, 1:54.00
2012 Trials
First, 1:54.84
Second, 1:54.93
2012 Olympics
Gold, 1:54.27
Silver, 1:54.90
2013 Worlds
Did not swim
Gold, 1:54.98
2015 Worlds
Did not swim
Gold, 1:55.81
2016 Trials
First, 1:55.91
Second, 1:56.22
2016 Olympics (heats)
Second, 1:58.41
First, 1:57.38
2016 Olympics (semifinal)
First, 1:55.87
Second, 1:56.78
*Phelps posted the top time of 2015 at U.S. Nationals, clocking 1:54.75
While the rivalry is intense, there is still time for an occasional laugh. Lochte posted the following image on Twitter and Instagram on race day:
