Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Ryan Lochte’s parents were both swimming coaches and helped him achieve his dream of representing his country in the Olympics. 
Meet Ryan Lochte
Ryan started swimming competitively at the age of 9. His parents were swimming coaches and his mother was his first coach with his father taking the primary role as he grew older. In 1992, he watched the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain where Pablo Morales won a gold medal in the 100-meter butterfly. Ryan was inspired from that point forward and wanted to represent his country in the Olympics.
Ryan signed an endorsement contract with swimwear company, Speedo, that is reported to be the longest ever for a male swimmer. In high school, Lochte was a four-time all-state selection and also played for the Spruce Creek High School basketball team. He plays basketball, skateboards and surfs in his free time. Ryan names his father as the most influential person in his life.
He’s always been there for me.
Why Root for Him?
Ryan demonstrated he can succeed in Beijing when he completed one of the greatest performances in swimming history at the 2006 FINA Short Course World Championships in Beijing. Ryan won five medals (three gold, one silver and one bronze) only 10 days after competing at the NCAA Championships in Atlanta, Ga.
Ryan was named the NCAA Male Swimmer of the Year for the second time in his career last season for the University of Florida. He capped off his collegiate career with four stellar performances at the NCAA Championships in Atlanta and successfully defended his 200m IM title in an NCAA and American record time of 1:40.55. Ryan also set the NCAA record in the 100m back while swimming the opening leg of the 400m medley relay. His seven career individual NCAA titles ranks first in school history.
Ryan is also coming off a superb performance at the 2004 Olympic Games with a gold medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay and silver in the 200m Individual Medley.
Performance Record
- 2006 NCAA Champion – 200m IM, 400m IM, 200m backstroke
- 2006 NCAA Male Swimmer of the Year
- 2006 SEC Champion – 200m IM, 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly
- 2006 FINA Short Course World Champion – 400m medley, 200m backstroke, 200m medley
- 2004 Olympic Games 4x200m Freestyle Relay – 1st
- 2004 Olympic Games 200m Individual Medley – 2nd
The U.S. Swim team trials take place from June 29th to July 6th in Omaha, Nebraska.