Rio 2016: CBC commentator mixes up Phelps, Lochte in 200m IM final

A COMMENTATOR has suffered his worst nightmare, cocking up one of the biggest moments in sporting history by mixing up a pair of star US swimmers.

Which one is which? A CBC commentator has had a hard time differentiating between US swim stars Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte. Picture: AP

“AND Phelps doesn’t look like he has this one in him.”

A CBC swim caller has suffered every commentator’s worst nightmare, mixing up his lanes and calling champion swimmer Ryan Lochte home instead of Olympic legend Michael Phelps, as he added a 22nd gold medal to his record-breaking career haul.

As Phelps pulled away in the last leg of the 200m Individual Medley, Elliotte Friedman was gung-ho about “Lochte” leading the pack — the two champions were in adjacent lanes.

Feel bad for the CBC broadcaster who mixed up Phelps and Lochtes lanes. Like when youre playing Mario Kart 4 player & look at the wrong box

— KFC (@KFCBarstool) August 12, 2016

“Ryan Lochte is going for his 13th career medal, saving the best for last,” he said.

“Finally, he’s going to do it.

“Ryan Lochte is going to beat Michael Phelps in this event in the games and Phelps might not even make the podium.”

Then.

Stunned silence...

“I apologise, I got my lanes mixed up, Phelps with the gold.”

Reality kicked in for Friedman, Lochte ending up in fifth, over two seconds behind Phelps.

His Wikipedia page has already been updated: “Unfortunately, Elliotte died after somehow mixing up Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte during Phelps’ gold medal win in the Men’s 200 IM on live TV.”

His crushing mix-up has gone viral on social media, with much of the response supportive.

Elliotte Friedman is as good a broadcaster as any in the business. These things happen. I guarantee no-one is more disappointed than he is.

— Conor McKenna (@mckennaconor) August 12, 2016

Given no choice but to cop it on the chin, Friedman Tweeted a simple message to his 324,000 followers shortly after the call.

“I’m sorry everyone. I blew it. No excuses.”

You have to feel for him.

I'm sorry everyone. I blew it. No excuses

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 12, 2016

Originally published as Rio 2016: CBC commentator mixes up Phelps, Lochte in 200m IM final