Olympics greats Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte rip USA Swimming during 2025 World Championships: 'Call it a funeral'
Lochte was the first to share the image, which features people in mourning at a funeral. The image contains a tombstone, which reads: "In loving memory of United States Swimming."
The tombstone then lists the dates 1980 - 2025, suggesting USA Swimming lived 45 years before dying in 2025. Under those dates, lies an epitaph, which reads, "They set the bar high — until they stopped reaching for it."
It's unclear whether Lochte found the image elsewhere or asked for it to be generated. The image appears to be made by A.I.
Phelps shared the image on Instagram, adding his own critique of USA Swimming. Phelps' comment read, "Is this the wake up call USA Swimming needed? Let's find out....."
Lochte and Phelps opted to share the image during the 2025 World Aquatics Championships. Team USA got out to a slow start at the event, as multiple members of the team dealt with acute gastroenteritis.
Despite those early struggles, the team secured five gold medals as of Friday morning. That tied Team USA with Australia for the most swimming medals at the event. Team USA does own the most overall swimming medals at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships with 20.
That performance isn't good enough for Lochte and Phelps, who happen to know a thing or two about the sport. Phelps is widely celebrated as one of the best swimmers — and one of the best Olympic athletes — of all-time. He won 23 gold medals, the most of any Olympian. He also holds the record for most gold medals in individual events with 13. Long after his retirement, Phelps remains one of the most prominent names in the sport.
Lochte is a six-time Olympic gold medalist, winning events between 2004 and 2016. Two of Lochte's gold medals came in individual events. The other four came in relays, where Phelps was one of his teammates. The pair played a major role in Team USA's swimming dominance during their careers.
Between 2003 and 2022, Team USA secured the most gold medals in swimming at the World Championships every year they were held. Team USA finished second to Australia in 2023, ending that streak, but then bounced back to reclaim first in 2024.
Despite Team USA tying for the lead in gold medals and leading the pack with 20 overall swimming medals in 2025, Lochte and Phelps clearly view the squad's performance as a major disappointment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
a minute ago
- CBS News
Bednar's first save as Yankee secures 3-2 win over Rangers, snaps five-game skid
ARLINGTON, Texas – David Bednar got his first save for the New York Yankees after going a little longer than expected, and ended their five-game losing streak before going home. Bednar got the final five outs, all on strikeouts, in their 3-2 win at Texas on Wednesday. The game-ending one came with two runners on base after manager Aaron Boone had gone to the mound to pull the right-hander that New York acquired from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline last Thursday. "I said, 'I'm going to take you here.' And he gave me a look like, no you're not," Boone said. "He absolutely wanted the ball and, you know, felt like his stuff was still there. ... What a great, gutsy effort." Bednar's 18th save overall this season came in his third appearance for the Yankees (61-54), who remained ahead of Texas for the American League's third and final wild-card spot. They have a day off before opening a three-game series against AL West-leading Houston at home on Friday night after Bednar's first two series with New York were on the road. Bednar had two strikeouts to end the eighth and two more to open the ninth before Corey Seager walked on six pitches and Marcus Semien grounded a 3-1 pitch through the right side of the infield for a single. Bednar, already at a season-high 36 pitches and with cleanup hitter Adolis García headed to the plate, initially didn't see his new manager walking toward him. "I was just kind of getting my mind right to face García," Bednar said. "I told (Boone) I wanted him and, you know, he agreed. And I just wanted to bear down and get that last one." Bednar struck out García, finishing with a season-high 42 pitches for his most since 43 in an eight-out save for the Pirates at St. Louis on June 15, 2022. It was the third time this season Bednar recorded five outs, and the second in his week with the Yankees. "That was awesome, especially that last one," said Paul Goldschmidt, whose pinch-hit solo homer in the seventh broke a 2-2 tie. "To go out out there and make those pitches was huge." ___ AP MLB:
Fox News
a minute ago
- Fox News
Pat McAfee calls out 'bum a-- suits' at ESPN while congratulating network's WWE deal
Pat McAfee is happy to see ESPN and the WWE get a historic deal done to broadcast premium live events. But the ESPN host called out some employees within his own company in the process. McAfee posted on X congratulating ESPN and WWE on finalizing a deal, which was announced Wednesday. "Great to see 2 powerhouses of sports and entertainment come together," McAfee wrote before taking his shot. "I assume all the mid level, powerless, bum a--suits at ESPN will attempt to muddy this somehow (out of context leaks/ignorant anonymous opinions/etc.) but, in the end.. this agreement will outlive the dinosaurs currently guarding desks in Bristol and this deal will be great for ESPN. "Cheers to the future." McAfee has had issues in the past with ESPN executives, which could've led to his jab. He accused Norby Williamson on air, saying the longtime executive tried to "sabotage" his show in 2024. Williamson ended up moving on to FanDuel Sports Network after spending 40 years at the "Worldwide Leader in Sports." The WWE-ESPN deal has been reported to be worth $1.6 billion over five years. This will allow ESPN to broadcast some of the most anticipated WWE events each year, like WrestleMania, Summer Slam and the Royal Rumble as part of the pro wrestling giant's direct-to-consumer service launching in late August. McAfee is a big wrestling fan, having served as a commentator for the WWE. However, he stepped away from that earlier this year due to a busy schedule. But he is clearly aware of the deal, and he has never shied away from speaking his mind even after joining ESPN on a five-year, $85 million deal. "I don't got a motherf---ing boss," he said in the past. ESPN made another landmark deal in the world of sports. The network announced Tuesday it acquired the NFL Network in a deal that gave the league a 10% equity stake in ESPN. The deal includes the NFL's linear RedZone Channel, NFL Fantasy and more.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NFL smelling salts ban: NFLPA provides key updates on policy
The NFL announced Tuesday its teams would be prohibited from distributing smelling salts to its players during the league's 2025 season. However, the league did not actually ban the products from being used, as the NFLPA clarified Wednesday. "We were not notified of this club policy change before the memo was sent out," the NFLPA wrote in a message to its players, per ESPN. "To clarify, this policy does not prohibit player use of these substances, but rather it restricts clubs from providing or supplying them in any form. The NFL has confirmed this to us." The confusion stemmed from the NFL's initial memo to players, which explained why NFL clubs would no longer be permitted to distribute smelling salts to its players. "In 2024, the FDA issued a warning to companies that produce commercially available ammonia inhalants (AIs), as well as to consumers about the purchase and use of AIs, regarding the lack of evidence supporting the safety or efficacy of AIs marketed for improving mental alertness or boosting energy. The FDA noted potential negative effects from AI use. AIs also have the potential to mask certain neurologic signs and symptoms, including some potential signs of concussion. As a result, the NFL Head, Neck, and Spine Committee recommended prohibiting the use of AIs for any purpose during play in the NFL. "In light of this information, effective for the 2025 NFL season, clubs are prohibited from providing or supplying ammonia in any form at NFL games. For clarity, 'ammonia' refers to ammonia capsules, inhalers, ammonia in a cup, and any form of 'smelling salts.' This prohibition applies to all club personnel (including but not limited to team physicians, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches and coaches or other personnel). The prohibition applies through the entirety of all NFL games, including during all pregame activities, and halftime, and applies on the sideline and in stadium locker rooms." Several NFL players took the memo to mean the use of smelling salts had been banned outright. That upset many, including San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, who said he was "distraught all day" after reading the memo. "I'm an every drive guy," Kittle said of his use of smelling salts in an appearance on NFL Network. "I considered retirement. We got to figure out a middle ground here guys. Somebody help me out, somebody come up with a good idea… I miss those already." After the NFLPA's clarification, Kittle no longer has to worry about negotiating a middle ground. He will, however, have to provide his own stash of smelling salts if he wants to continue using them in 2025. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL players not banned from using smelling salts, NFLPA says
