London 2012: Michael Phelps motivated by racing Ryan Lochte - BBC News
Swimming superstar Michael Phelps has told BBC Sport he is relishing going head-to-head with fellow American Ryan Lochte at the Olympics.
The pair are due to meet at the US trials which begin in Omaha on Monday, with both aiming to qualify for numerous events in London.
"Being able to watch some of the things he's done and be on the receiving end of some of the defeats he has given me has definitely motivated me, just because I hate to lose," said Phelps.
"One of the cool things about being able to race him, it doesn't matter what shape I'm in, I always leave every ounce of energy in the pool.
"He brings every drop that I have out of my system."
Phelps, 26, won a record eight gold medals in Beijing four years ago, taking his tally to 14 and making him the most successful Olympian ever.
However, Lochte, who has three Olympic golds to his name, is rivalling him for supremacy in London, having won five titles, one more than Phelps, at last year's World Championships.
Phelps says he is looking forward to the challenge of taking on Lochte and told BBC Sport's Matt Slater that he does not like finishing second to anyone.
"I can't stand losing," said Phelps. "It doesn't matter what it is, I always have to be the best.
"I'll practise and do anything, work on some of the small things that make you better. I just despise losing."
Phelps and Lochte are due to face each other in six events at the trials.
Lochte, 27, is entered in 11 events and Phelps seven, although they are unlikely to compete in all of them.
They are scheduled to meet in the 400m individual medley on Monday, then later in the week in the 100m and 200m freestyle, 200m backstroke, 200m individual medley and 100m butterfly.
"He's somebody I enjoy racing against and look forward to racing a lot over this year," added Phelps.
Phelps has admitted he struggled for motivation after Beijing, missing six weeks of practice and being suspended from swimming competitively for three months in 2009 after photographs were published appearing to show him smoking cannabis.
Asked about his performances in the pool, he responded: "2009 were OK, but 2010 was a joke. I mean, it was just horrendous.
"I know it was all because of the decisions that I made. Every choice you make, there comes consequences. I may have made the wrong choice but I was able to learn from it, I was able to grow up from it.
"Getting back into it wasn't that good, wasn't that fun, but I had a lot of motivation. Some of the races I didn't want to remember always popped into my head and fired me up even more.
"It's a good thing I was able to go through what I went through and it's kind of going to help fuel the fire."
The Baltimore-native knows his rivals got closer to him while he was not focused on the pool, but he remains confident heading into London.
"I'm playing catch-up," he said. "While they have been working, I've been sitting around doing nothing. It's not easy but it makes it more interesting and it makes it a little more fun. We're going to get there."
Among the others in action in Nebraska are 17-year-old star Missy Franklin and Olympic veterans Natalie Coughlin are Dara Torres, the latter trying to reach her sixth Olympic Games at the age of 45.
London 2012: this week's best events in London, from Wimbledon to art and architecture festivals - Daily Telegraph
London Festival of Architecture
London’s standout buildings and design talents are the focus of the London Festival of Architecture, which this year pays tribute to the forthcoming Olympic Games with the theme The Playful City. During the festival’s two-week run a series of roving hubs will be set up at boroughs throughout the city to engage with local residents, while a varied programme of one-off special events and ongoing exhibitions cater to architecture aficionados of all levels. Although the focus is on London the complementary International Architecture and Design Showcase goes a long way in expanding the festival’s international scope. For three months from June 21, 50 international embassies and national cultural institutes across the capital will open their doors and display works by their most celebrated designers and architects.
When: until July 8. (The International Architecture and Design Showcase continues until September 23.)
Where: citywide
How much: prices vary
Masterpiece London
Three years old this year, Masterpiece London has already grown to be one of the capital’s leading art fairs. The focus here is on luxury goods so although all manner of objects are on display the prices are high – buyers here are often wealthy investors rather than casual visitors who’ve happened upon something beautiful. Vintage jewellery, historic automobiles and vast collections of art are all on show, with the social highlight likely to be the midsummer party in aid of CLIC Sargent on July 3.
When: June 27 – July 4
Where: South Grounds, The Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3 4SR
Tube: Sloane Square
How much: from £20
London 2012 Festival, London and nationally
The Olympics begin on July 27, but in advance of this massive sporting spectacle London and the country as a whole will be joining together to celebrate the London 2012 Festival. The culmination of the four-year Cultural Olympiad – the Olympic Games’ cultural complement – the festival sees cultural organisations, landmarks and artists join together to host a series of ambitious events that showcase British creativity at its best. In London next month’s BT River of Music festival sees a series of stages along the Thames host free concerts by artists such as the Scissor Sisters and the Noisettes – each different stage will represent a different continent so expect exceptionally diverse experiences and settings dependent on where you station yourself.There’ll also be an expanded Proms programme that will see Wallace and Gromit make an appearance; a celebration of Shakespeare with Shakespeare: Staging the World at the British Museum and countless special events for communities in every part of the city. Keep up to date on what’s happening when and where through our London 2012 Festival section.
When: until September 9
Where: throughout London, and nationally
How much: costs vary
City of London Festival, the City
The Goldner Quartet at last year's City of London Festival. Image: Robert Piwko/City of London Festival
Fifty years old in 2012, the City of London Festival returns again this year with an extensive programme of concerts, exhibitions and recitals all held in spectacular landmark locations throughout the City. This year’s theme is City of London – Trading Places with the World, and with a nod towards the Olympics, it explores the history of the City and its relationship with other regions throughout the world. With events taking place over 34 days there’s plenty of entertainment on offer but highlights include the English National Ballet’s performances of two new commissions for the festival by Anthony Downson and Van Le Ngoc, the temporary installation of live music sculptures at Tower Bridge and Monument and a series of free lunchtime concerts by musicians from the Guildhall School.
When: until July 27
Where: throughout the City
How much: prices vary
Greenwich and Docklands International Festival, Greenwich
Reliably engaging and innovative, the Greenwich and Docklands International Festival fuses theatre, dance, art and music to create a ten-day-long cultural spectacular. This year highlights include the world premiere of Crow by the Handspring Puppet Company, best known for their work with the National Theatre production of War Horse; the return of the Greenwich Fair and the Word on the Street series of outdoor theatre performances. As ever, festival organisers have done a good job of making many of the major events and performances free and open to all.
When: until June 30
Where: throughout Greenwich
How much: prices vary
Free Range Art and Design 2012; The Old Truman Brewery
Brick Lane becomes even more vibrant in mid-summer, with the return of the annual Free Range Art and Design show. Lasting two months, the continually changing exhibition showcases works by some of the country’s most talented young creatives, with displays featuring art, photography, textiles, illustration, interiors and product design. This is the biggest show for graduates of art and design in Europe so you can expect to discover some exceptionally promising emerging talents if you visit. For those inspired to learn more, a series of workshops and talks run alongside the main exhibitions.
When: until July 16
Where: The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL
Tube: Liverpool Street
How much: free
London Wonderground, Southbank Centre
The Boom Boom Club at this year's London Wonderground Photo: Boom Boom Club
Cabaret, circus and music are all fused at the all-summer-long London Wonderground, now on at the Southbank Centre. In its inaugural year, the free-spirited festival is being held in a 1920s Spiegeltent and brings a Coney Island-style celebration of the curious and eccentric to the South Bank. The headline production is Cantina, a sultry combination of acrobatics, vaudeville, magic and music intended for adults, while there will also be performances from Irish chanteuse Camille O’Sullivan and playful cabaret shows hosted by the Boom Boom Club.
When: until September 30
Where: Jubilee Gardens, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
Tube: Waterloo
How much: prices vary
Udderbelly Festival, the Southbank Centre
Image: Belinda Lawley
Now in its fourth year, the Udderbelly Festival has already made a significant impact on Londoners thanks to its excellent comedy programme and distinctive venue – performances are held in a huge, partially inflated, upside-down purple cow. Performing this year are Tim Minchin, Sean Hughes, Andi Osho, Patrick Monahan and many more. As well as comedy, there are family shows, theatre performances and musical experimentations.
When: until July 8
Where: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd London SE1 8XX
Tube: Waterloo
How much: prices vary
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