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The question on everyone’s mind is “Why isn’t Ryan Lochte swimming?” We take a look at the possible reasons why the Olympian isn’t in the pool.
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Ryan Lochte’s Career
Ryan Lochte is an American competitive swimmer and 12-time Olympic medalist. He is one of only four swimmers to have won a gold medal in all four major long-course events: the 200-meter individual medley, 400-meter individual medley, 4×200-meter freestyle relay, and 4×100-meter medley relay. Lochte’s success has earned him the World Swimmer of the Year Award and the American Swimmer of the Year Award five times each.
His Early Life and Swimming Career
Ryan Lochte is an American swimmer and 12-time Olympic medalist. As a youngster, Lochte took an interest in swimming and soon developed into a world-class swimmer. He competed in his first international event at the 2003 Pan American Games, winning five medals.
Lochte made his Olympic debut at the 2004 Athens Games, winning two gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze medal. He became a household name at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he won six medals, including four golds. Lochte added two more golds at the 2012 London Olympics.
Lochte’s dominance in the pool continued at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he won one gold medal and three silver medals. At the age of 32, Lochte was the oldest member of the U.S. Olympic swimming team.
Despite his success at the Olympics, Lochte has failed to make an impact outside of swimming. He has had various endorsement deals over the years but has yet to capitalize on his celebrity status. In addition, Lochte has had numerous brushes with the law that have damaged his image.
As a result of his off-the-pool antics, Lochte has lost many of his sponsorships and is no longer considered a role model for young athletes. His once-promising career appears to be over, which begs the question: why isn’t Ryan Lochte swimming?
His Successes
Ryan Lochte is a 12-time Olympic medalist, which includes six gold medals, three silver medals, and three bronze medals. He has won a total of 77 medals in major international competition, 55 gold, 14 silver, and 8 bronze spanning the Olympics, the World Championships, the Pan Pacific Championships, and the Short Course World Championships. As of August 2016, he holds the world records in the 200-meter individual medley (long course) and the 400-meter individual medley (short course).
Why Isn’t He Swimming?
Ryan Lochte is an American swimmer and 12-time Olympic medalist. He has won five gold medals, three silver medals, and four bronze medals. He is a dominant force in the sport of swimming, but there is one question that many people are asking: why isn’t he swimming?
His Injuries
While many athletes have come back from worse, Ryan Lochte’s string of injuries may be career-ending. In the past year, he’s had two surgeries on his left knee- one to repair a cartilage tear and another to shave down a painful bone spur. He also recently dislocated his right shoulder, an injury that will require another surgery.
These injuries have taken a toll on Lochte’s body and mind. He told reporters that he “literally can’t walk” and that the pain is “unbearable.” The 32-year-old is now facing the possibility of retirement, something that he said he’s “definitely thinking about.”
It’s a sad turn of events for one of the most decorated Olympians in history. Lochte has won 12 medals over the course of his career, including six golds. He was also a key member of the U.S. team that won gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay at the 2012 London Olympics.
Lochte’s injuries are a reminder of how fragile even the most elite athletes can be. It’s possible that we’ve seen the last of him in competition, but even if we haven’t, it’s clear that his days as a dominating force in swimming are behind him.
His Age
Ryan Lochte is 32 years old, which is on the older side for elite swimmers. Most swimmers peak in their early to mid-20s, and while Lochte is still in great shape, he may not be able to swim at the same level as he did a few years ago.
Lochte also has had some injuries in recent years that may have slowed him down. In 2013, he underwent surgery on his left knee, and he missed much of 2014 due to a groin injury. He came back strong in 2015, winning five gold medals at the World Championships, but it’s possible that these injuries have taken a toll on his body and his swimming ability.
His Future
Though Ryan Lochte has repeatedly stated that he isn’t done with swimming, his recent actions would indicate otherwise. The 35-year-old has been focused on his family, business opportunities, and other interests outside of the pool. That’s not to say he isn’t still physically capable of swimming at a high level. In fact, Lochte’s recent Instagram posts show that he’s in great shape. So, what’s the hold up?
His Plans
As he looks to the future, Ryan Lochte isn’t sure what his plans are. “I don’t know what I’m going to do,” he says. “I really don’t.” For now, he’s focused on spending time with his young son and enjoying the smaller things in life. “I’m just taking it day by day,” Lochte says. “I’m not in a rush to do anything.”
Lochte has toyed with the idea of returning to swimming, but he’s not sure if that’s what he wants to do. “I miss it, I really do,” he says. “But at the same time, I’m enjoying my life outside the pool.” For Lochte, it’s not just about swimming; it’s about finding a balance in life. “I want to be happy,” he says. “And I am happy.”
His Chances of Success
Lochte remains one of the most decorated swimmers in history. But at 33 years old, his best days are behind him. And that’s OK.
Lochte is a 12-time Olympic medalist, which is tied with Nate Dusing and Matt Biondi for the most of any male swimmer in history. He’s also the second-most decorated Olympian in swimming behind only Michael Phelps.
But Lochte is 33 years old, and 33 is old for a swimmer. In fact, it’s rare for a man to even make an Olympic team after the age of 30. There have only been four men in history who have won an Olympic swimming gold medal after their 30th birthday: Phelps, Mark Spitz, Johnny Weissmuller and Duke Kahanamoku.
Lochte has had a successful career, but he’s no longer in his prime. And that’s OK.
