Gold!

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Cuban-American swimmer Ryan Lochte takes Team USA’s first Olympic gold in the 2012 games in 400m medley…

It wasn’t even close.

Ryan Lochte crushed rival teammate Michael Phelps in their first of two Olympic showdowns Saturday, dominating the 400m individual medley. Lochte’s gold was America’s first in the 2012 games.

For Phelps, who finished more than four seconds behind Lochte, it was a humbling conclusion to an event he once ruled. Phelps won gold in the 400m IM in 2004 and 2008, but barely qualified for Saturday’s showdown. The loss marked the first time since 2000 that he failed to earn a medal in an Olympic final.

[…]

Lochte finished in 4:05.18, more than three seconds ahead of Thaigo Pereira of Brazil, who took silver, and Kosuke Hagino of Japan, who won bronze.

Lochte smiled as he left the pool and prepared to receive his fourth career Olympic gold medal. “I think I’m kind of in shock right now,” he told the AP. He said Phelps “gave it everything he had. That’s all you can ask for.”

Lochte and Phelps will go head-to-head once more, on Aug. 2 in the 200m individual medley.

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HT: Marta

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