Olympics: 23 Photos That Capture the Phelps-Lochte Rivalry Through the Years

Update: On Aug. 11, Ryan Lochte swam his last race in Rio, presumably bringing an end to swimming’s greatest rivalry with Michael Phelps, who joined him in the 200m IM final as the favorite. Phelps won it, making him the first swimmer to top the same event in four consecutive Olympics. Lochte finished fifth.

While they expected their Olympic showdowns to have ended in 2012, when Phelps “retired,“ this final fight (Phelps plans to walk away again, Lochte has left the door open) felt even more stirring. Both men — Phelps now with 26 medals after the 200m IM, and Lochte with 12 — seem to appreciate the role they’ve played in each other’s success. “The history him and I have had with one another is something special and something I’ve never had with another competitor of mine,” Phelps said after Wednesday’s 200m IM semifinal.

Here’s a look back at their rivalry from the 2004 Olympics through Rio.