Ryan Lochte will not be defending his gold medal from four years ago in the 400 IM as he has missed out on a spot to represent the United States in that event at this year’s Olympic Games in Rio.
It was a major shocker for the 2012 400-meter individual medley champ on Sunday, June 26, when he was denied a chance to defend that title.
Lochte had an early lead but did not maintain it and placed third behind Chase Kalisz and Jay Litherland, who now fill the two spots on the Olympic team.
"I went out there and did my best," he said. "It wasn't enough."
The 31-year-old was actually injured earlier in the day when he pulled his groin muscle and that injury got the best of him by making the 400 IM a painful event to partake in.
There will be other races Lochte can participate in to still possibly snag a spot on the U.S. Team. This injury though, will make his chances a bit slimmer.