Comeback swimmer Lochte gets his Olympic ticket

Shortly after his doping ban expired at the US Championships in Palo Alto, California, the six-time Olympic champion qualified for the 1 Summer Games in Tokyo in 57,88:200 minutes in the 2020 m individual medley. However, the time is almost four seconds better than his world record from 2011 (1:54,00).

Lochte, who turns 35 on Saturday, was banned for 14 months after posting a photo on social media in May 2018 of himself receiving an intravenous injection. These are only permitted during a stay in a hospital or under strict conditions.

Rioted in Rio It wasn't the scandal swimmer's first misstep. Lochte and his US teammates Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and James Feigen claimed at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro that they were attacked at gunpoint on the sidelines of the games. This was not true, as it turned out a little later. The Americans had actually rioted at a gas station.

Because of the lie, the 18-time long course world champion Lochte initially lost all of his personal sponsors. The US association also banned Lochte for ten months. Last year, Lochte underwent treatment for alcohol problems. Ryan Lochte (right) at the Olympic Games in Rio with superstar Michael Phelps. © APA/afp / MARTIN BUREAU

After his comeback in Palo Alto, Ryan Lochte appeared reformed. “I can understand that the fans no longer have confidence in me after my rollercoaster. But I'm not doing this to prove anything to them. I do it for myself and my family,” said Lochte, who has won at least one gold medal in every Summer Games since their debut in Athens in 2004.

The birth of his son Caiden (2017) and his daughter Liv in July gave him “a new perspective,” said Lochte and formulated his sporting goals clearly: “I want to compete in my fifth Olympic Games and then get on the podium.”

With his time away from Palo Alto, however, he would probably have no chance. Gold went to the Japanese Daiya Sato at the World Championships in South Korea in July in 1:56,14 minutes, and even eighth-placed Abraham Devine (USA) was faster than Lochte in 1:57,66.

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Comeback swimmer Lochte gets his Olympic ticket

Nothing stands in the way of US swimming star Ryan Lochte's fifth Olympic appearance.

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