DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Americans Ryan Lochte and Natalie Coughlin have registered the top qualifying times in their events at the short-course world championships.
Lochte led the 400-meter individual medley preliminaries in 4 minutes, 1.76 seconds on Thursday, improving on his own championship record from four years ago.
Lochte already won his first gold of this meet in the 200 freestyle Tuesday, but saw his bid for eight golds derailed when the U.S. squad finished an unexpected fourth in the 400 free relay.
In Thursday’s evening session, Lochte will swim the 400 IM final plus the 800 free relay.
Coughlin, a three-time Olympic champion, swam 52.57 in the heats for the 100 free.
