Olympic swimming trials 2016 results: Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte qualify for Rio in 200-meter individual medley

Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte both qualified for the 200-meter individual medley event at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Phelps and Lochte, competing in the USA Swimming Olympic Trials on Friday, finished first and second in the finals, respectively. Phelps touched the wall with a time of 1:55.91, to beat Lochte by just 0.31 seconds.

Both will represent the United States in the event. For Lochte, it’s a huge relief as the event was his last opportunity to qualify for Rio as an individual. He previously qualified in the 200-meter freestyle relay but was unable to qualify in any other individual event.

Phelps, on the other hand, had already qualified in his signature 200-meter butterfly event. He’ll have at least those two chances at adding to his gold medal count, with his current count of 18 already making him the most decorated United States Olympian of all time. Phelps looked in great form on Friday and will compete yet again in the 100-meter butterfly finals on Saturday.

The pair of Phelps and Lochte representing the US in the 200-meter individual medley has been a mainstay for the past three Olympic Games. Lochte managed to compete on Friday while nursing a groin injury that has hampered him throughout the trials and forced him to drop multiple events. Phelps finished the 100-meter butterfly semifinals in sixth place.

Also on Friday, Abbey Weitzeil and Simone Manuel finished first and second in the women’s 100-meter freestyle event. Both are now qualified for their first Olympic appearances. Weitzeil set a time of 53.28 seconds to Manuel’s 53.52 seconds. The 4x100-meter freestyle relay will also include Amanda Weir and Lia Neal, who finished third and fourth, respectively. Both Weir and Neal won bronze medals in that relay in London back in 2012.

Katie Ledecky, who has already punched her ticket to Rio in multiple events, came up short in the 100-meter freestyle finals, finishing in seventh place.

In the women’s 200-meter breaststroke finals, Lilly King finished in 2:24.08 to take first place and a spot in Rio, alongside second-place finisher Molly Hannis. Ryan Murphy and Jacob Pebley will represent the US in the men’s 200-meter backstroke after finishing first and second. Tyler Clary, the defending gold medalist in the event, finished third and will miss out on defending said medal by half a second.