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INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, July 7. WITH world record holder Michael Phelps retiring from this event after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the U.S. has some huge shoes to fill heading to Rome.
The Americans should do just fine with Daytona Beach's Ryan Lochte and Club Wolverine's Tyler Clary putting on a show with an epic battle. Clary held his own by being under Phelps' world record pace with a 2:31.20 at the 250-meter mark, ahead of Phelps' 2:31.26. Lochte, however, had a much stronger back half en route to a triumphant time of 4:06.40.
"I am glad that I got the first race out of the way," Lochte said. "My first race is always the hardest. I just swam my own race. I knew Clary would go out fast, and at the end it is just every man for himself."
Clary, meanwhile, wound up taking silver with a swift time of 4:06.96, much stronger than his lifetime best of 4:11.29. The effort moved Clary into fourth all time as he become just the fourth man under the 4:09 barrier. Phelps (4:03.84), Lochte (4:06.08) and Laszlo Cseh (4:06.16) are the only men in front of Clary.
Both of Lochte's and Clary's times demolished Ous Mellouli's previous top time in the world this year of 4:10.53.
Tucson Ford's Jack Brown had the best seat in the house for the swim with a third-place time of 4:13.71.
Notably, Phelps' reduced schedule from his usual gargantuan docket wound up seeing the superstar sit out the first day of swimming.
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July 7, 2009 It looks like America will have no problem filling the void for a 400 IM star. Submitted by: philipmj24
July 7, 2009 What suit did Clary have on for the 4 second time drop? Lochte in Jammers only! Submitted by: prhjd
July 7, 2009 What for Clary in the 200 back...he will def push Lotche and Peirsol! Submitted by: squiggles255
July 7, 2009 I agree re: Clary in the back; he had a much better tempo than Lochte and outsplit him by over a second. But will be interesting to see how much better Lochte can get in a full suit. I also wonder if Lochte can hang on another three years in this event to challenge for '12; will be tough physically and mentally. Submitted by: liquidassets
July 7, 2009 I think Lochte didn't work as hard as Clary in the back. I think he'll be third (duh!) and probably pretty close, but I don't think he'll beat Lochte or Peirsol.
Lochte never wears a full suit in the 400 IM (or 200 Back/IM) long course.
The Indy guys did a GREAT job setting up the place; it looked AWESOME! Submitted by: SwimDER94
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of Swimming World Magazine or SwimmingWorldMagazine.com.
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