JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Ryan Lochte has received USA Swimming’s athlete of the year award, capping a season in which he won five gold medals at the world championships and became the first swimmer to break a world record since polyurethane suits were banned.
Lochte was honored at USA Swimming’s convention in Jacksonville, Fla., on Friday night.
He set a world mark of 1:54.00 in the 200-meter individual medley at the world meet in China, which also earned him the performance of the year award.
The family of Fran Crippen, the open water swimmer who died in a race in Dubai last October, was honored with the Athletes’ Appreciation Award recognizing the individual who contributed most significantly to the athletes’ movement.
