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Ryan Lochte wins 200 backstroke

Simon Evans
BEIJING
Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:41pm EDT
Ryan Lochte of the U.S. comes off the wall at the start of his men's 200 meters backstroke swimming heat at the National Aquatics Center during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 13, 2008. REUTERS/David Gray

BEIJING (Reuters) - Ryan Lochte of the United States won the gold medal in the men's 200 meters backstroke on Friday with a new world record time of one minute, 53.94.

Sports  |  Russia

Compatriot Aaron Peirsol, the 2004 Olympic champion and triple gold medalist took silver with 1:54.33 and Russian Arkady Vyatchanin claimed bronze with 1:54.93.

Lochte shaved 0.38 off the previous world record of 1:54.32 which he had held jointly with Peirsol.

Vyatchanin set the pace and went into the 150 meter turn in the lead but Lochte had some fuel left in the tank to overtake him and claim his first individual gold. He was also a member of the successful 4x200 freestyle relay team.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
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Russia


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