Michael Phelps Defeats Ryan Lochte in 200 IM at U.S. Olympic Trials

Michael Phelps defeated Ryan Lochte in the finals of 200-meter individual medley race at the United States men’s Olympic Trials.

USA Swimming posted the official results from the race on its Twitter.

"

Amazing 200 IM finals: Michael Phelps (1:54.84) and Ryan Lochte (1:54.93)! Phelps scores fastest time in the world this year in the event.

— USA Swimming (@USA_Swimming) July 1, 2012"

The two swimmers were neck-and-neck the entire race, with no other contestant coming close to them. By the second turn, Phelps and Lochte were a full body length ahead of the field.

The race came down to a dead spring in the freestyle, the last leg of the medley, and Phelps was able to beat out Lochte by a fraction of a second.

Phelps set the world record in the event to win the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with a time of 1:54.23. Three years later, Lochte beat the mark at the 2011 World Aquatic Championships in Shanghai, finishing in 1:54.00. 

Both swimmers had plenty on their minds on Saturday: Lochte was scheduled to compete in three events on the night, and Phelps was celebrating his 27^th birthday.

This is the third time finals week that Phelps and Lochte have gone head-to-head at the trials. In the first two matchups, neither swimmer won by more than a second.

On Monday, Lochte won the 400-meter individual medley with a time of 4:07.06, while Phelps finished second at 4:07.89. 

The two battled once more on Wednesday in the 200-meter freestyle, with Phelps finishing first in 1:45.70. Lochte was right there with him and took second with a time of 1:45.75.

The 200-meter individual medley was the last time the two will face off before heading to London. 

All results from the trials can found at USASwimming.org