Lochte’s 2012 target

THE lure of trying to beat Michael Phelps’ record of eight Olympic gold medals is becoming an irresistible goal for Ryan Lochte, who has now surpassed his fellow American as the world’s best all-round swimmer.

Lochte has no idea whether he, or anyone else, will ever eclipse Phelps’ golden haul from Beijing but that has not stopped him from at least considering the challenge.

“What he (Phelps) did in Beijing was just out of this world, never been done before, it was amazing,” Lochte said.