Ryan Lochte at a 2013 meet in Vancouver
So in the end, Michael Phelps didn’t make the final of the 50 free in the Arena Grand Prix in Mesa, Ariz. (He swam his patented butterfly stroke in the prelims. The rules allow you to swim any of the strokes in the free.) And Ryan Lochte bowed out of his final races. (He’s been nursing a knee injury and said he had pushed himself too hard in February.)
But having them back racing each other is certainly a boon for their sport despite the emergence of some young swimmers.
Now it’s on to the Grand Prix in Charlotte, N.C. where Ryan trains. Here’s hoping for more Phelpte competitions.