London Olympics: French swimmers get relay revenge against U.S.

We interrupt the coronation of Ryan Lochte to ask whether he had any business representing his country in the marquee relay of the Olympics Games.
 
Lochte might be America's best swimmer, but he blew the lead — and the gold medal — in the final leg of the 400-meter freestyle relay on Sunday.

France won, leaving second place and second-guessing to the Americans.

From the French perspective, this was a glorious response, four years in the making. After Jason Lezak delivered a miracle final leg in a come-from-behind U.S. victory over France four years ago, Yannick Agnel did the same for France against the Americans.

From the American perspective, there was Michael Phelps, cradling a silver medal that dangled from a necklace of purple ribbon.

"This is my first silver," he said.

That silver — to go with 14 golds and two bronzes — moves him within one of tying the career record for Olympic medals. He said he could not complain about winning a medal, but he hardly embraced its color.

"It is very frustrating," he said. "This will be something that will motivate us."

So might the performance of Dana Vollmer, who set a world record in winning the women's 100 butterfly, the second gold for the U.S. Vollmer swam the race in 55.98 seconds, becoming the first American woman — and second overall — to establish a world record since the high-tech swimsuits were banned but the records set in them were not.

"Being the Olympic champion is most important," she said. "The world record is the icing on the cake."

Vollmer, a former Cal swimmer, failed to qualify for Beijing four years ago. She expanded her training from swimming to include hip-hop dance, yoga and Pilates, switched to a gluten-free diet and did not shy from publicly stating her goal of breaking the 56-second barrier.

"I know I can be faster," she said.

Allison Schmitt set an American record in winning silver in the women's 400 freestyle, behind Camille Muffat of France. Brendan Hansen won bronze in the 100 breaststroke, duplicating his finish in the 2004 Olympics. He finished fourth in the event in 2008.

The relay that ended in disappointment started, well, swimmingly.

Nathan Adrian swam the first leg, giving the U.S. the lead. Phelps swam the second leg, redeeming himself for a dismal Saturday by tripling the lead. Cullen Jones swam the third leg, maintaining a comfortable lead.

Lochte had 100 meters to victory. He lost the lead within 50 meters and had nothing left.

"The 100 free, I don't really swim it," Lochte said. "I haven't swam it in a long time. I think I was just really excited. I overswam the first 50, which kind of hurt me for the last 50.

"You would think, doing distance events, I wouldn't get tired, but sprinting definitely takes a lot out of you."

U.S. Coach Gregg Troy spotted trouble in Lochte's first few strokes.