RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Olympic roommates Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte maintain a relaxed vibe at the athletes’ village. There’s an ongoing card game in their suite and they amuse themselves with endless Snapchat sessions.
It’ll be all business on Thursday night.
They’ll race against each other for the final time in the 200-meter individual medley, ending a 13-year rivalry that has been one of the greatest in swimming history. The Americans are the top two all-time performers in the event.
“The history him and I have had with one another, it’s something special and something I’ve never had in another competitor of mine,” Phelps said. “We’ll have one more time to hop in the pool and duke it out.”
Phelps is finally retiring after these games, where he has already won his 20th and 21st gold medals. He’ll try to become the first swimmer, male or female, to win the same event in four straight Olympics.