Olympics Trials 2012: Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps Rivalry Great for Team USA

Team USA is the biggest winner every time Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps duel in the pool. The friendly rivals are pushing each other harder than anybody else can, and that will pay off at the Olympics.

Lochte won the first head-to-head battle of the U.S. swimming trials in the 400-meter individual medley. Phelps made sure he sent a message to Lochte and everybody else that he's still a top contender by exacting some revenge in the 200-meter freestyle.

Neither swimmer has been posting lightning-quick times so far as they begin to round into form before the Olympics. They don't want to peak too soon just to win a trial race. But it would be impossible for them to ignore each other, especially with all the media hype.

Phelps has the name recognition, of course. He won eight gold medals in Beijing, making swimming a must-see event for the first time in decades. It brought his career medal count at the Olympics to 16, with 14 of those being gold.

He'll still be the top attraction heading into London, regardless of how the remaining trials go, because of that previous success. But, unlike four years ago when he was the singular dominant force, he knows the spotlight will be shared with Lochte this time around.

Lochte knows how much will be on the line at the Olympics. No matter how successful he's been at World and National Championships, he can't be called the greatest swimmer on the planet without huge success on the biggest stage of them all.

He also understands that Phelps won't give up that unofficial title without a fight. Phelps has talked a lot about his future after the Games, but make no mistake, he still wants to have another dominant showing first and foremost.

It's a storyline that basically writes itself. One guy trying to live up to newfound hype and another one hoping to prove he still deserves it.

By the time the first starting gun sounds in London, both guys will be in top form, and fans from around the world will be in for a treat. They might act friendly before and after races, but once they hit the pool, it's all business.

That should lead to some memorable moments and, if things work out the way Lochte is hoping, a new swimming king.

More importantly, it equals a lot of medals for Team USA.