Lochte back in pool after 10-month ban
new york — Ryan Lochte, the world and Olympic champion swimmer whose false story about being robbed at the Rio Olympics brought a 10-month ban, returned to the pool Saturday at the US Open meet.
Two days after his 33rd birthday, Lochte finished fifth in the men’s 100m backstroke, clocking 55.16sec in a final won by twotime Olympic medalist Arkady Vyatchanin of Serbia in 53.91.
“It’s a good starting point,” said Lochte, who will race in the 200m individual medley on Sunday in the meet at Nassau County Aquatics Center in suburban New York.
“That’s what I wanted to do coming into this meet. Doing that little of training, and being able to go that time ... I’ve still got something there.”
Whatever happens, I’m going to take it with a grain of salt and keep moving forward Ryan Lochte
Lochte, who intends his comeback to propel him into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, told USA Swimming that he is ready to battle back after a humiliating finish to his Brazil experience last year.
“Whatever happens, I’m going to take it with a grain of salt and keep moving forward,” Lochte said in a video posted on the governing body website.
“One of the biggest things I’ve learned throughout the past year is I’m a fighter. I will always get back up. And I’m back.” —