Michael Phelps: Ryan Lochte Rivalry Will Push Phelps to Olympic Gold

The rivalry between Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte will propel Phelps to the best of his game at the 2012 London Olympics. Olympic gold, glory and pride is yet again within his grasp.

Monday evening, Lochte struck again with a victory over the most famous swimmer in the world. He did it by defeating Phelps for the first time in the 400-meter individual medley at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials.

Lochte lived in Phelps’s wake for most of his swimming career, but has finally begun to surpass him in recent years. For Phelps, the challenge has been laid down before him. When you’re on top, the whole world is gunning for you.

This is literal in this case, as Phelps is an Olympian.

After succumbing to the awesome display of ability Phelps demonstrated during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Lochte worked hard to narrow the gap between Phelps and himself. In the 2011, Lochte defeated Phelps in two head-to-head events at the world championships. He accumulated five gold medals during the competition.

“I’m going big or going home. I’m not going out there for second place,” Lochte said. “I want to do something that no one has ever done. I want to go down in history as one of the world’s greatest swimmers.”

Phelps has already proven to be the best of the best against the most challenging competition in the world. His dominant 2008 performance is one that will be remembered for ages.

Back then he was clearly the best U.S. swimmer heading to the summer games. But now there is some doubt in the back of his and others’ minds as to whether that is still true. Not only is Phelps going up against the best the world has to offer—he’s going up against himself as well.

It isn’t a matter of deteriorating ability for Phelps. Bob Bowman, his coach, explained that some technical lapses cost him the edge he had in 2008.

"His turns were horrendous," the coach said. "That's 2 seconds there. His breaststroke leg has got to be better. There are any number of things he can work on."

Mechanics can be fixed. He is going to rise to the challenge posed by fellow American Lochte and use that motivation to propel himself to new feats of greatness this summer in London.

Phelps is a great swimmer, and greatness doesn’t just disappear overnight.

Follow Mike on Twitter @BigHoagowski