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University of Iowa swimmer Dustin Rhoads, who competed against the best swimmers the nation has to offer at last year's Olympic trials, was profiled last week on HawkeyeSports.com:
During the Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb., Rhoads competed in the 100-meter backstroke alongside now 11-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte in a nine-swimmer preliminary heat. It was an experience that opened his eyes to his potential.
"It was something I will never forget," said Rhoads. "It was a great experience, and it helps and shows me I can compete with some of the best swimmers in the country. That has built confidence for me."
What was not included in that profile is that Rhoads alleged that Lochte injured him after the 100-meter backstroke prelims, when Lochte reportedly attacked him backstage with a steel chair. Rhoads spent the next ten months recovering from the injury, and still has not yet returned to his usual swimming form.
We reached out to Rhoads for an interview over the weekend, and he agreed as long as he could tell his side of the story, in its entirety, unfiltered. We sent Ross and a camera, and he came back with this report:
Lochte has yet to respond, but even after 10 months, this feud remains white hot.