The duel in the pool

Michael Phelps won eight gold medals in Beijing. Can he bring home the gold again?   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Ryan Lochte, left, and Michael Phelps react after the 200-meter freestyle finals at the 2012 U.S. Olympic swimming trials. Phelps beat Lochte by five-hundredths of a second.  (Al Bello / Getty Images)

Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte dive off the starting blocks in the 400-meter individual medley at the 2012 U.S. Olympic swim trials. Lochte won and Phelps finished second, setting up a showdown in London.  (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)

Winner Ryan Lochte, left, and Michael Phelps embrace after the men’s 400-meter individual medley final at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in Omaha, Neb.   (Matt Miller / Associated Press)

Ryan Lochte, blue cap, and Michael Phelps compete in the finals of the 200-meter individual medley at the 2012 U.S. Olympic swim trials.   (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)

Michael Phelps, foreground, and Ryan Lochte will face each other twice during the London Olympics.   (Eugene Hoshiko / Associated Press)

Michael Phelps, churning to victory in the 100-meter butterfly final at the Olympic trials, has won 14 gold medals in two Olympics.   (Mark Humphrey / Associated Press)

Michael Phelps celebrates a victory in the 100-meter butterfly race at the 2004 Athens Olympics. The swimmer won six gold medals and two bronze medals in Athens. He won eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Michael Phelps will compete in seven events at the 2012 London Olympics.   (Al Bello / Getty Images)