Michael Phelps surprised Olympic fans with a disappointing showing on Saturday - barely nabbing eighth place in the qualifier, then coming in fourth in the 400-meter individual medley.
With 14 gold medals to his name (eight from the Beijing Olympics alone), the 27-year-old athlete is under tremendous pressure to keep his winning streak going at year's London games, and took to Twitter to express his disappointment with his initial race results.
"Not pleased with my race tonight at all..." Phelps Tweeted on Saturday. "But [tomorrow] is a new day! And a new race!!"
Putting aside rumors of a feud between himself and fellow Team USA swimmer Ryan Lochte, Phelps also offered congratulations to the Olympic newcomer, who captured the gold in Saturday's race.
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"Congrats to @ryanlochte ... Way to keep that title in the country where it belongs!!" he wrote.
Lochte also took to Twitter to celebrate his big win, writing, "Great way to start off the 2012 Olympics. #USA on a mission."
Phelps' fourth place standing in the 400 IM race marks the first time the swim star has failed to medal since the 2000 Olympic games.
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--Erin O'Sullivan
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