Omaha (United States) (AFP) – Ryan Lochte, the 2012 Olympic champion in the 400m individual medley, was shut out of a Rio berth as Chase Kalisz led a changing of the guard in the punishing event at the US Olympic swimming trials.
Lochte, hindered by a groin injury suffered on the breaststroke leg in Sunday’s morning heats, took the race out fast, hoping to build an insurmountable lead.
But Kalisz, 22-year-old training partner of Olympic superstar Michael Phelps, powered past Lochte on the breaststroke leg and held on over the finishing freestyle to win in 4min 09.54sec.
That makes him second-fastest in the world this year behind Japan’s Kosuke Hagino.
Jay Litherland stormed home to seize second in 4:11.02 and put himself on the road to a first Olympic appearance.
Lochte was third and out of the Rio running in 4:12.02.
Lochte still has a chance to qualify for a fourth Olympics.
He’s entered in the eight-day trials in the 100m freestyle, 200m backstroke, 100m butterfly and 200m medley and said he would pursue treatment on the injury in a bid to swim at a fourth Olympics on track.
Phelps, whose 400m medley world record from 2008 still stands, has dropped the event from his programme as he pursues a fifth and final Olympic appearance.
He watched the race from the broadcast tribune and was delighted for Kalisz, but sympathized with his longtime rival Lochte.
“I know how Ryan feels,” Phelps said. “That race is tough. That’s one of the hardest races you can put your body through.”
But Phelps thought Lochte could bounce back, despite the injury.
“Ryan is somebody who is very tough,” Phelps said. “I would assume he would use this as motivation to get going.
“It’ll be hard for him to do breaststroke. I don’t know how it is for any other strokes, but he is somebody who is really, really tough,” Phelps said.
Maya DiRado won the women’s 400m medley in an impressive 4:33.73, with 2012 Olympic silver medallist Elizabeth Beisel more than three seconds behind in 4:36.81.
DiRado’s time put her in the top five in the world this year.
In the only other final on the opening night of the meeting, Connor Jaeger won the men’s 400m freestyle in 3:43.79, with Conor Dwyer second in 3:44.66.
Only the top two finishers in each event can book Rio berths.
Dana Vollmer stayed on course to defend the 100m butterfly gold she won in London, topping the times in the semi-finals in 56.90.
Vollmer, on the comeback trail after taking time off to have a child, was followed by Kelsi Worrell (57.12) and Sarah Gibson (58.02).
Kevin Cordes topped the semi-final times in the men’s 100m breaststroke in a sizzling 58.94.
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