Ryan Lochte Deserved To Win Gold Over Michael Phelps

Although Michael Phelps is an amazing swimmer and athlete, I was so happy to see Ryan Lochte take home the gold medal in the 400-meter individual medley in the 2012 Olympics. He deserved to win and I'm happy he did! July 28 was a weird day. First, reigning Olympic champion Michael Phelps just barely made it in the finals for the 400-meter IM. Then, in the actual event, he didn't even medal! Fellow American Ryan Lochte took home the gold while Phelps fell to fourth place. It was the first time Phelps failed to medal in an Olympic event since 2000. It was definitely a shock but I'm so happy Ryan won!

On the day of the race, 49% of HollywoodLifers thought Phelps would win while 42% thought Lochte would take home the gold. Phelps was a favorite — winning gold would have secured an Olympic win in the same event for three straight games. I loved watching Phelps win eight gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics but recently, something has been off about him.

Phelps just does’t seem to have the same intensity he once did for competing and for the Olympics in general. In every interview I’ve seen, he seems rushed, frustrated and angry with his performance. Even though Phelps said his goal was to have fun — “I have a great opportunity to put a big cherry on top of my ice cream,” he said to NBC’s Bob Costas — he seems competitive but at the same time, indifferent.

Ryan, on the other hand, seems ready to step into the limelight. Before the London games, Lochte had already won six Olympic medals, but I had barely heard of him. Lochte had been totally overshadowed by a triumphant Phelps in previous years. But in the last four years since Beijing, Lochte has gotten stronger, faster, better….and hotter!

I was so thrilled to see Ryan Lochte win the gold. He seems like such a great, fun person. He skateboards, he has a diamond grill he wears on the medal podium and he loves tweeting. Scheduled into his carefree lifestyle, Ryan works day and night in the gym and in the pool. I am so happy he has achieved everything he has worked so hard for.

Occasionally he comes across as cocky, but really, he should be. He has a super hot body and is an amazing talent. And I think he’s just confident, not cocky. He’s only in this position because he’s earned it.

With Phelps poised to become the most decorated Olympian of all time, I’m glad Ryan Lochte got his moment in the golden spotlight.