Is Ryan Lochte moving to Charlotte to train?
Is Ryan Lochte moving to Charlotte to train?
by SCOTT FOWLER, Charlotte Observer | Posted on October 3, 2013 at 8:52 AM; Updated today at 8:57 AM
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ryan Lochte, who has been one of the biggest names in the swimming world for a decade, is likely to move to Charlotte to train for the 2016 Olympics, according to sources.
If Lochte goes through with the planned move -- and it could happen in a matter of days -- he would immediately become the most decorated swimmer to ever live and train in Charlotte.
Lochte, 28, is an 11-time Olympic medalist -- including five gold medals. He is so popular that he has more than 1,000,000 Twitter followers, has his own catchphrase ("Jeah") and had a reality TV show based on his life earlier this year (although it was short-lived).
It is likely that Lochte will base his training at SwimMAC Carolina, where he would work under head coach David Marsh and in the pool in Charlotte alongside one of his closest friends -- Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones.
Lochte, who specializes in the individual medley and backstroke events, has been based at or near the University of Florida throughout his collegiate and pro swim career. He has traditionally come to Charlotte to compete in the UltraSwim meet each May and for many years has called the Queen City one of his favorite places in America.
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