Is Michael Phelps' Rival, Ryan Lochte, Finding Love On The Water?

If you're a fan of the recent Summer Olympics, you're probably used to keeping your eye on the main attraction, which probably involves sports star Michael Phelps, 27, walking away with any number of gold medals. But with Phelps facing retirement and the times a' changing, there might be a new swimmer in town, Phelps' friendly rival, Ryan Lochte, 27.

Lochte, who won two gold and two bronze medals back at the 2008 Beijing Olympic games, is quickly climbing to the favorite of those who adhere to the "out with the old, in with the new" adage, and it has as much to do with his friendly demeanor as it does his amphibious nature on the water. Even he and Phelps have a semi-faux rivalry. "I won't call him up like, 'Hey buddy. How's practice?'" Lochte said, reports People. "But at a meet, we definitely hang out. He's still my partner in spades."

Despite his live-and-let-live sentiments, Lochte is determined to prove, as he said before the U.S. Olympic trials, that Phelps is "human. He is not a fish," he told USA Today. To that end, Lochte spends "five to six hours a day, half in the pool, half out, pushing cars, dragging 500-lb chains," reports People.

In Lochte's spare time he likes to unwind and watch television with his Doberman. One thing he might throw on the tube? Anything with actress Blake Lively, who is currently dating Ryan Reynolds. "She makes my toes curl," he said of Lively. In other news on the lady front, however, Lochte has recently been rumored to be "cozying up" to Australian swimmer Blair Evans, reports the San Francisco Gate. The sexy, sporty duo have been spotted hanging out at training, laughing together and even touching hands underwater. Thus far, neither the Lochte nor the Evans camp has confirmed any romance.

If Lochte's comments about last Summer Olympics' Beijing after-party / after-orgy are any indication, maybe he and Evans can find some time to spend together after the medals are handed out.

For more on Lochte, Phelps and the 2012 Summer London Olympics:

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EXCLUSIVE: Olympic Gymnast Jonathan Horton Talks His Competition Day Routine

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