StyleCritics wanted to start the new year with a big splash by talking to three time gold Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte. He took his time out on Christmas Eve to chat with us- what a sweet guy! After an amazing achievement at the Beijing Olympics, Lochte is turning into a bonafide star. He won his first individual gold in the 200m back stroke and broke the world record at the Beijing Olympics. We grilled him about the Beijing Olympics, fashion, girls, and of course his signature grills! JEAH!

SC: First of all Congratulations on all your success at the Beijing Olympics and recently at the 2008 Short Course Nationals. What was the most memorable part during the Olympics?

RL: Thank You, thank you very much. I would have to say having my family there. It’s like my whole family came to see me swim.

SC: The LRZ was a big thing during the Beijing Olympics.  Do you really think that made a big difference in your swimming?

RL: Yeah, I mean I got my first individual gold medal and it kind of gave me, I don’t know how to put it, I don’t want to say opportunity but it made me become faster. It gave me encouragement and it built my self- confidence.

SC: That’s great! So we know you’re usually  in a Speedo but fashion is a huge thing on StyleCritics. Describe your fashion style?

RL: I have always been into fashion. I’ve always loved new clothes, new designers and stuff. I’m always the kind of person that likes to be different from everyone else, like you hardly ever hear about swimmers . I don’t know I just try to be different as much as possible.

SC: You definitely have a unique sense of style. We hear that you want a fashion line in the future. Do you think you can tell us more about that?

RL: Well, right now I’m still swimming. First of all, I have to concentrate on swimming that’s my biggest thing.  And my biggest goal is to go into two more Olympics. And after that I can’t start right away but I want to give creative ideas to different designers.

SC: Do you have any designers in mind?

RL: No, not really I’m kind of just branching out. I like all different types of designers like Calvin Klein, Armani, Ed Hardy and Monarchy. It’s kind of broad right now.

SC: You’re definitely having great opportunities and you just signed with PMK, opening new doors for you.

RL:  I just signed with them and I’m sure there are couple coming. There was something in Miami over New Years for an opening of a hotel but I won’t be able to go because of swimming.

SC: Do you have any favorite fashion designer you always loved?

RL: I’m sponsored by Speedo and Speedo is within Warner Co. and along with Warner Co. is Calvin Klein. So I’ve always been around Calvin Klein. I wear a lot of Tommy Hilfiger,  Monarchy, Ed Hardy and Armani. Basically, I don’t have a favorite designer yet.  I wear what I like and what looks good.

S: The brand Calvin Klein is always attached to your name. Is there any future projects with the fashion designer?

RL: I don’t know, I want to start modeling. Nothing like runway or anything like that but doing print ads and stuff like that. And I’m keeping myself open to others not just like Calvin Klein. I’m looking at Armani, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren.

SC: Recently, we saw your GQ spread for the January issue. How was the photo shoot?

RL: It was a lot of fun, I love doing photo shoots and stuff like that. It’s a blast.

SC: With all the success and fame now, how do you deal with the attention from girls?

RL: Well I’m single and I honestly think that’s the best way to go right now. I mean girls do kind of,  I don’t want to say throw themselves at me but they approach me more often now than they did before and it’s kind of hard accepting if they want to get to know me for who I am or what I’ve done, that kind of thing. I kind of just don’t pay much attention to it.

SC: So have you encountered any creepy Lochte fans?

RL:   I don’t want to say creepy like I don’t think there are any creepy people out there, well, I hope not but yeah, I get a lot of fan mail and I try to respond to them as much as possible.

S: We appreciate you taking your time out on Christmas eve, so how are you spending your holidays?

RL: Well, I’m back home at Daytona Beach, Florida and I’m just hanging out with the family. I don’t really get this opportunity to come home and just hang out with whole family and that’s what were doing right now, we have like a whole week planned of activities. Like we went to Islands of Adventure, it’s a lot of fun!

SC: Have you treated yourself anything lavish for the holidays?

RL: Mmm, myself? Not really, well after Beijing my purchase was a watch (Breitling) - a really nice watch. I got it customized, took the face put 15.2 carats diamonds in it. It has a silver steel. I can’t remember the face because it’s covered all in diamonds.

SC: Was it a gift to you?

RL: It was basically a congratulations after the Olympics.

SC: Do you wear it often?

RL: Umm its really expensive  so I get nervous when I do wear it. So, it’s like please don’t break it but yeah, I try to wear it as much as possible.

SC: I read that you lost your grills in Beijing, are you getting any  new ones?

RL: Yes. No, I haven’t gotten any new ones, I’m waiting till after Christmas because I put that on my Christmas list to my parents. So if I don’t get them, I definitely have to get a new pair - it’s like a trademark, can’t leave without them.

SC:  After the holidays, are you going to start hardcore training for the Worlds?

RL: Yes, I’ve already been training kind of but I haven’t really been.  I have just been  going to photo shoots, going to appearances, stuff like that so I haven’t really been set in stone with the schedule but after come January 2nd,  I go back to Gainesville. I will be on a schedule and that’s when I’ll be basically starting my training.

SC:  Boxer or briefs?
RL: (laughs) Boxers. Boxers or briefs it can go both ways.

SC: We really appreciate this and we know your a busy guy. We love that you took your time out to talk to us over the holidays.

RL: Yea of course, anytime!

Ryan Lochte is an Olympic Gold Medalist now but he’s still the same sweet laid back guy. He gives off  a very friendly vibe and the fame hasn’t gone to his head at all. Lochte has a very close knit family that he simply loves - he just happens to be one of the best world class swimmer with a very adorable chuckle. Can’t wait to see Lochte in two more Olympics and also more of his model attitude on prints ads! CONGRATULATIONS RYAN!

[Source]

The 2008 Beijing Olympics brought cheers, pride, and amazement in every household in America!!

TEAM USA’s Men Basketball finally lead to victory and took home the gold for the U.S.!! The team trained hard and won of course, without the help of Coach K! The best part of the final game was when Kobe made a basket and put his finger up to his lips to shut the crowd up.

The Men’s team was made up from the best of the NBA: Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Chris Paul, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Jason Kidd, Tayshaun Prince, Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, and Michael Redd.

The biggest event for the 2008 Beijing Olympics took place at the Water Cube!

Ricky Berens, Ryan Lochte, Michael Phelps and Peter Vanerkaay broke the world record swimming in the 4X200 relay race. They took home the Gold and also breaking the world record!

Ryan Lochte made a huge splash in the Water Cube! He won his first individual gold in the 200m backstroke and breaking the world record too! We should be expecting a bigger splash from Mr.Lochte in 2012 Olympics and hopefully more of him in 09′ !!!

Last but not least, Michael Phelps made history by winning 8 gold medals at the Beijing Olympics! He diminished Mark Spitz 7 gold medal record. Phelps is a fish out of water!

Congrats to TEAM U.S.A. !

Rating: 5

[Source]

Ryan Lochte is perfection in his January GQ spread dressed very California chic combined with a whole bunch of model attitude. My favorite photo of him chilling on the chair in true Ryan Lochte fashion! Coolness personified!

Lochte is definitely a firecracker! Born winner in the pool and modeling. Runway could be next?

Rating: 5

[Source]

Olympic Gold medalist, Ryan Lochte just signed with PMK agency. Gold Medal Mel confirmed this with a video interview with Lochte at the 2008 Short Course  National Championship.

PMK has a big reputation that will probably work wonders for Ry. Geez, look at these professional shots of Lochte.

One word: STUNNING! His eyes a truly like a clear blue ocean.

During the interview Ryan was asked, what he would name his future clothing brand. Ryan responded with a beaming smile, “JEAH!”

Oh Ryan, so charming and handsome!

Rating: 5

[Source]

Ryan Lochte swam two races during the second day of the 2008 Short Course National Championships at Atlanta, GA. He won first place in the Men’s 200 Yard Freestyle with a time of 1:32.40, almost near Phelps record! And he won the Men’s 100 back with 45.37.

On the last day of the meet, Dec. 6, 2008, Lochte took home the award for Men’s High Point Award. Also his last race for the meet he won first for the Men’s 200 yard back with a time of  1:38.49!!

Amazzzing! CONGRATS Ry! Phelps must be trembling somewhere… Lochte is coming to take his spot!

In the words of Lochte: “JEAH”

Rating: 5

[Source]

Ryan Lochte raced the U.S. Short Course National 200 yard individual medley and came in FIRST.

He said he had only 10 days of training beforehand.  Also he was almost near his best time 1:40.08, during the race he came in with 1:40.89.  Ryan said: “That felt good, I’m really surprised. I had no idea I would go near a best time.”

Not too shabby Ry :] , CONGRATS!

P.S. His face is so perfect! Damnn.

Rating: 5

[Source] 

Mmmmmm, I spot Lochte!

He was in Atlanta, GA preparing for the Short Course National Championship and looked cute signing autographs for the kids.

Recently, he treated himself to a 15.2 carat diamond watch- wowzers!!  Ryan is enjoying his life out of the pool, but still sets aside one hour a day for the water.

He still is adjusting to his new found fame: “For instance, I was in the middle of New York City and someone came up to me and said, ‘Are you Ryan Lochte?’ I was like, ‘How do you know that? Are you serious?’ It’s cool, but it’s really weird.”

Well, who wouldn’t go up to him- just look at that gorgeous face!! I would probably hyperventilate if that ever happened.

Rating 4

[Source]

Ryan Lochte is traveling everywhere like he is racing for another gold medal. He’s at an Orlando Magic Game shooting t- shirts to the crowd and looking dashing at the Global Leadership Awards Gala in NY.

Lochte proves he can dress besides wearing that itsy bitsy speedo. And of course, this guy is just GORGEOUS. I would love to stare at him all day. And that blonde hair, it is always in top perfection!!

Ryan can lochte my heart away!

Rating: 5

[Source]