Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte to clash in 200m individual medley final

Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, taking their long rivalry into its last lap, set up a mouthwatering 200m individual medley clash with semi-final wins at the US Olympic swimming trials on Thursday

Omaha (United States): Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, taking their long rivalry into its last lap, set up a mouthwatering 200m individual medley clash with semi-final wins at the US Olympic swimming trials on Thursday.

Michael Phelps displays a victory sign after competing in a semi-final heat for the 200m individual medley on Thursday. Pic/AFP

Phelps, who counts three straight 200m medley golds among his astonishing 18 Olympic triumphs, cruised home to win the first semi-final in 1min 57.61sec. He’ll be seeded second in the final after Lochte won the second semi in 1:56.71. That vaulted Lochte to second in the 2016 world rankings to Phelps’ fourth — promising fireworks in a final with two Rio de Janeiro Olympic berths on the line.

Adrian seals Rio berth
Meanwhile, Nathan Adrian stormed home to win the 100 metre freestyle at the US Olympic swimming trials punching his ticket to Rio where he’ll go for a second straight gold. Adrian clocked 47.72sec, improving on the 47.91 he produced in the semi-finals.

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