RENANG INDONESIA - Ryan Lochte is playing down his rivalry with Michael Phelps as their Saturday showdown at the Aquatics Centre draws closer.
Phelps may have already claimed 14 Olympic titles, but Florida-based Lochte won five gold medals at last year's World Championships in Shanghai .
Two of those victories saw him edge out his fellow USA athlete. In the 200m Individual Medley, he became the first swimmer to break a long-course world record since turbo suits were banned. He also triumphed in the 200m Freestyle.
While Phelps has dropped the latter event in London , the duo are scheduled to meet on Saturday in the 400m Individual Medley before the shorter 200m Individual Medley on 2 August, the day before Lochte's 28th birthday.
At a USA press conference, Lochte said: 'I'm not really going just to swim to beat Michael.
'Michael is just one person and there are a bunch of other swimmers across the world I have to worry about.
'I am just doing what I normally do and I am just going to go up on the blocks and race and have fun.
'If Michael's right there with me then he is right there with me but I can't just rely on one person.
'Back home people are talking about me and Michael - I guess that is just talk and I guess I shall just see what happens in a couple of days.'
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