Michael Phelps’ biggest frenemy isn’t buying the retirement chatter.
Phelps has insisted throughout the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro that these will be his final games despite him still racking up gold medals. But fellow USA swimmer Ryan Lochte, both a good friend and a worthy adversary, finds it hard to believe Phelps won’t jump back into the pool when the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo roll around.
“You know what, I can definitely say that, because I guarantee he will be there,” Lochte said Friday on NBC’s “TODAY.” “I think so. I really think so, so Michael, I’ll see you in Tokyo.”
There’s no reason to believe Phelps still can’t thrive four years from now. Sure, he’ll be 35 years old by then, but he’s in a league of his own when it comes to competitive swimming. The guy is like a freaking fish.
The bigger question is whether Phelps would want to return in 2020. He won his 22nd career gold medal Thursday night and broke a 2,168-year-old Olympic record with his 13th individual gold. He really doesn’t have anything left to prove and can ride off into the sunset on top.
While on the topic, it’s also reasonable to wonder whether Lochte will return for the 2020 Games. The second-most decorated USA men’s swimmer in history just turned 32 years old and said Friday he’s taking a break from the sport, although he didn’t rule out returning for Tokyo.
Thumbnail photo via Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports Images
