Ryan Lochte's rivalry with Michael Phelps in the pool might be the talking point of the swimming events in the London Olympics, but the American knows there will be a lot more barriers other than his more illustrious opponent, if he is to win his expected haul of gold medals.
Lochte has been the form swimmer of the past couple of years, winning five gold medals at last year's world championships in Shanghai. Two of those victories were against the great Phelps.
In the 200 meter individual medley, he became the first swimmer to break a long-course record, after the highly-controversial turbo suits were banned, while also winning the 200 meter freestyle.
Phelps might have dropped out of the latter event in London, but the two will vie for top spot in the 400 meter medley on Saturday, before taking on each other in the 200 meter individual medley on August 2.
Lochte, however, insisted Phelps would not be his only rival in the pool. "I'm not really going just to swim to beat Michael, the 27-year-old told reporters.
"Michael is just one person and there are a bunch of other swimmers across the world I have to worry about.
"I am just doing what I normally do and I am just going to go up on the blocks and race and have fun.
"If Michael's right there with me then he is right there with me but I can't just rely on one person.
"Back home people are talking about me and Michael -- I guess that is just talk and I guess I shall just see what happens in a couple of days."
