Ryan Lochte Receives ‘Exemption’ to Race 200 Free at US Nationals

2019 PHILLIPS 66 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

With the 14-month suspension of Ryan Lochte expiring on Wednesday, there was a lot of anticipation about when and where the 34-year old might return to racing. We got a partial answer on Thursday when USA Swimming announced that he would race at the US National Championships that begin next week in Stanford, California – but that still left a big question – when would he qualify?

It turns out, he already has. While Lochte’s suspension was officially backdated to May 24th, 2019, which was before the opening of the qualification period for US Nationals, his suspension had a bit of a wrinkle to it. USA Swimming said that, in spite of back-dating the suspension to when he posted the photo that got him in trouble, it didn’t include forfeiture of results done after that period: a rarity in these sort of suspensions.

That means that Lochte’s swims at the 2018 Mel Zajac International, which ran from June 1st through June 3rd, were accepted as entry times for the US National Championships in 4 of his 5 events. In the 5th, the 200 free, which he didn’t swim at Zajac, USA Swimming says that they granted Lochte an exemption to allow him to swim the race at Nationals.

Lochte’s Seed Times for US Nationals:

  • 200 Free – 1:50.81
  • 400 IM – 4:15.80
  • 100 Fly – 54.32
  • 100 Back – 54.75
  • 200 IM – 1:58.91

Not all of these seed times match his swims from the Zajac meet, but all are the same, or slower.

Lochte’s ban was announced on July 23rd, 2018, 2 months after posting a picture of himself on social media receiving an IV infusion at an IV infusion clinic. These clinics cater to clientele who are not receiving emergency medical treatment, but are receiving the IVs for other perceived health benefits – such as to ward off a hangover after a night of drinking. While the substances that he was infused with were permitted, the method was in violation of the World Anti-Doping Code: receiving an IV infusion of more than 100 milliliters in a 12 hour period, unless received during the course of a legitimate hospital treatment. The reasoning is that these IV infusions can dilute blood and urine, making banned substances harder to detect.

Lochte, a 12-time Olympic medalist, 5-time Olympic champion, and current World Record holder in the 200 IM, has been struggling to stay eligible since the Rio Olympic Games, where he missed the podium in the 200 IM and didn’t receive any individual medals. After swimming concluded at those Olympics, he embellished a story that went global about the infamous gas station run-in. He was ultimately given a 10-month suspension and dropped by a handful of high profile sponsors, including Speedo.

 

 

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Brian
4 years ago

Braden,

Why does the article say that the only reason he may do an invitro drip is to help with possible side effects of a hang over. There are other benefits to this as well and to leave these out makes it as though this is what he was doing. Do we know for sure that is why he was doing this or is this speculation. He gets a bad rap and I am sure he will be the first to admit that many times he deserves to have that. However to insinuate that he was doing something for an unintended use is not really fair to him. It just gives those who are reading it either misinformation or… Read more »

Bruh
4 years ago

Are we about to get a Phelps style 2015 nationals performance from Lochte?

Swimgeek
Reply to  Bruh
4 years ago

No

Kristiina
Reply to  Bruh
4 years ago

Many people seen he training swim. He swam 200IM 2:00 few days ago. He good. I wait he compete also 400IM

Kristiina
Reply to  Kristiina
4 years ago

Ryan is stronger swimmer than Laszlo Cech who 10th in Gwangju. 1 year younger only.

Flurpo
Reply to  Bruh
4 years ago

Hope Ryan can help us out in the 200 IM and 200 Fr for 2020…….I’d be really surprised if he goes after the 400IM….that’s a monster race for a 34 yr old. I’d love to see Chase or Jay take that one.

Paula Dean(Farris)
4 years ago

USA Swimming has been giving Lochte “exemptions” for years now… meanwhile shafting the Congers and Bentzs of the world

Ragnar
4 years ago

Reezy F Baby is about to fly, a world leading 200 IM isn’t out of reach based on the slow times at worlds, do it for the gram Ryan!

Swimmer
4 years ago

Hoping for a great comeback

Coach Mike 1952
Reply to  Swimmer
4 years ago

it will certainly make it interesting for everyone, jeah!

The michael phelps caterpillar
4 years ago

Lochte Legend!!!!

Joel Lin
4 years ago

And so begins The Summer of Jeah.

It’s on, baby, it’s on.

Elaine McCluskey
Reply to  Joel Lin
4 years ago

Will the 200 Free be the hardest race for him?

Ol’ Longhorn
4 years ago

Lochte is a living, breathing “exemption.” Go get ‘em, youngster.

McGill Rocks
Reply to  Ol’ Longhorn
4 years ago

Man, I know you get a lot of hate but I find most of your comments to be hilarious.

Unless you’re serious, then get help.

Ol’ Longhorn
Reply to  McGill Rocks
4 years ago

I’ll take that under advisement.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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