Ryan Lochte: Why Olympic Sensation Is Key to Men's 4x200M Free Relay

American swimming star Ryan Lochte will be the key to the United States winning gold in the men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay this Tuesday at the 2012 London Olympics.

The world-record holder in the 200-meter individual medley is peaking at the perfect time for Team USA as the squad prepares to ride his shoulders to victory in the much-anticipated 4x200 free relay.

Lochte has been a member of the gold-medal-winning men's team in the event dating back to the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, along with rival Michael Phelps. Although Phelps garners much of the attention—and rightfully so after winning a record eight gold medals in Beijing—Lochte has proven to be closing in on Phelps in the 200-meter freestyle. 

Lochte will give the Americans their biggest threat in the relay event this summer. The 27-year-old beat Phelps in the 200-meter freestyle at the 2011 World Championships, but lost to him by a nose at this summer's 2012 U.S. Olympic swimming trials in Omaha. 

We'll call it dead even. 

The 4x200-meter free relay will offer fans a closer look at just how dominant the American team is in 2012. The U.S. men hold the world record in the event with a time of six minutes, 58.55 seconds.

Both Phelps and Lochte are projected to win a plethora of gold medals, and they will be helping each other in Tuesday night's relay. 

A backstroke specialist, Lochte has come a long way over the years. He has developed his freestyle form and is capable of closing in on any swimmer on the planet. A lot has changed about the University of Florida graduate, most notably his speed in the water. 

Additionally, Lochte's demeanor gives him an intimidating presence around the pool, and his progression in the sport is surely a result of that. As a result, he holds the key necessary to lock the U.S. men's team into gold in the 4x200 meter freestyle relay at the 2012 London Olympics this summer.

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