3. 200m Backstroke Men's Finals

Aaron PIERSOL & Ryan LOCHTE WR /OR

When introducing the 2 WR-holders, star of this event, PEIRSOL and LOCHTE were stark contrasts of each other. Perisol was serious, focused, he had a little frown upon his face and immediately warmed up infront of the lane-block. Lochte, the 23 year-old surfer from Florida was laid-back, he was without his full-body swimsuit, and was fumbling with his pants. Unlike other US swimmners, Lochte had only 1 sponser; and in his individual events, you won’t see him donning the stars and stripes swimsuit. He’s the Blackhorse here, and the commentators were rooting for him.

Remember Arkady who earned a spot in the finals only after a swim-off? He’s down in lane 8, down where PEIRSOL and LOCHTE in lanes 5 and 6 respectively; wouldn’t see him. They didn’t. And Arky was having his own race, leading the entire race under the WR pace in the 1st 150m. He was treasuring his hardly-earned spot after the disappointing semifinals. Go, Arky!

PEIRSOL – aiming to repeat his Athens Games double-gold feat – had already completed his first task on Tuesday when he won the 100m back in a world record 52.54 sec. But just as it was at the World Championships, he was no match for LOCHTE in the longer race.

In the final lap, LOCHTE and PEIRSOL were both ready for their signature final dash. Both were sprinting, but in the last 10m, it was LOCHTE taking the lead, a lead he maintained till the very end.

Gold: LOCHTE (USA) WR
Silver: PIERSOL (USA)
Bronze: VYATCHANIN (RUS)

Arky was not bad himself, he had a steady race, he’s not someone who sprints, he’s just a consistent fellow who had to go through a swim-off for a spot in the finals (last place) but got a bronze medal in the end (third place).

This was LOCHTE’s first individual gold medal. He was also part of the 4x200m Freestyle Relay team, which fish almost lost. “LOCHTE was silver to so many other swimmers, and finally he had gotten his own gold. I’m so happy for him”