Ryan Lochte continues his journey back into the swimming landscape, this time back in the water, racing, kind of. The 12-time Olympic medalist and new Missouri State assistant coach raced for the first time since 2021, swimming the 100 IM in a racing suit.
Lochte shared the race on Instagram, as he finished the race in 55.73 seconds at the Roycefield 38th Annual Sprint Invitational, sharing how being back on the blocks put a “huge smile” on the face of the Olympic legend. Lochte’s Instagram story also shows him putting on a racing suit, meeting with fans, and spending some quality time with his wife-to-be, Molly Gillihan.
Did the coaches race this am! First race since 2021… and man, it felt GOOD. 🏊♂️
I’m not gonna lie, just being back on the blocks this morning put a huge smile on my face.
Life really has a way of testing you. There were times I wasn’t sure I’d ever feel like myself again. But being back in the water reminded me that sometimes the greatest victories aren’t measured by the clock but by how far you’ve come! Today wasn’t about the time. It wasn’t about winning. It was about being healthy, happy, and getting the chance to race again. That’s something I’ll never take for granted.
I am having fun again, I’m loving life again, and it feels really good to be back. #imgoingtobesosoretomorrow
The last time Lochte was racing came back in 2021 at the US Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha, Nebraska, where he missed out on making the 2021 US Olympic Team for Tokyo after finishing 7th in the 200 IM.
Lochte also shared that he is “loving life again” after recently announcing that he and his now-fiancée, Molly Gillihan, are engaged.
Gillihan, a Springfield, Missouri native, where Missouri State is located. Lochte announced in May that he would join the Missouri State program as an assistant coach, marking his first coaching stint since the conclusion of his decorated career. Lochte’s father, Steve Lochte, was a coach for 44 years before retiring in 2018.
The post comes about three weeks after Lochte posted a video of himself in the water, with a caption about the Enhanced Games.
In June, Lochte showed his support for the Enhanced Games, primarily for the financial stability that it offers its athletes. Even going as far as to say that he wishes he were still swimming, and that he could see more and more athletes making the move over to the Enhanced Games in the future.
He should do enhanced games. He would be perfect for that.
Does this mean he is planning comeback for LA 2028? We could use him for freestyle relays
I don’t think he would make the team, even if he was planning a comeback. the 100/200 free and back, as well as the IMs, are WAY to stacked for Ryan to get top two, or even make the 400 or 800 free relay.
Does anyone know his best 100 IM?
47.71 From 2017 Masters Nationals
Pretty fast time, maybe Ryan will swim more events this year!
It would be very fun if Lochte swam a few masters workouts and got into some more swim meets. He’s one of hte best ever and it’s always fun to watch him swim.
Was it meters or yards?
Dad bod
Needs to do a few masters comp, to get back into racing.