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.

“I don’t know if people can duplicate what he did or can do even better but I’ll tell you this though, I’m trying.”

Lochte, who won five gold medals and a bronze at last week’s world championships in Shanghai to cement his place as the top swimmer in the world, may now add more events to his programme for next year’s London Olympics.

He still has not decided on exactly how many he will swim, although the numbers swirling around his head are already mind-boggling. One more would give him the chance to equal Mark Spitz’ golden tally from the 1972 Munich Olympics. Two more would present him with the opportunity to emulate Phelps’ record eight from Beijing while three more would take him into uncharted waters. “I told everyone, I can go for one or I can go for like 20. It doesn’t matter,” he said.

“The reason why I love swimming is racing, and any chance I get to step on the blocks and race someone, I’m more than happy to do it.”

Lochte has already won three Olympic gold medals, one in Athens in 2004 then two more in Beijing in 2008, but his achievements were largely overshadowed by the incredible feats of Phelps, until last week’s feats in China, where he also beat Phelps twice in head-to-heads.