Team USA tops the most memorable moments of 2011
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VIDEO: Lochte sets WR
July 28, 2011: Ryan Lochte edges Michael Phelps for gold while setting a new world record in a thrilling men's 200m IM final.
- 2011 Swimming Worlds: Lochte beats Phelps for gold in 200 free
- 2011 Swimming Worlds: Sun Yang wins gold in 800 free
- 2011 Swimming Worlds: Franklin earns 200m back gold
- Franklin sets 200m back WR
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PHOTOS: Memorable Moments of 2011
A look back at the top 10 moments in swimming in 2011.
The Duel in the Pool match up between Team USA and the European all-stars last weekend told the story of the swimming world in 2011 - the U.S. ruled the pool.
At the 2011 FINA World Championships in Shanghai, the Americans won 16 of the possible 40 gold medals. In the Duel in the Pool, the home team ran away with the competition, winning 12 of the first 14 events and outscoring the Europeans 180.5 to 81.5. The U.S. even cleaned up when it came to awards, with Ryan Lochte and Missy Franklin being named FINA's 2011 Athletes of the Year.
In fact, the American duo completely stole the show this past year. Lochte went five-for-five, winning all of his events at World Championships, and left Michael Phelps with more silver-ware then he would care to get used to. Franklin on the other hand, seemed thrilled simply to be a part of the World Championship squad, but that didn't stop her from winning three events, and capturing two silver and a bronze.
The year was also highlighted by several notable comebacks, from Dara Torres, to Ian Thorpe, to Brendan Hansen and Ed Moses. And not to be overlooked was an emotional Brazilian star, a first-time Olympian swimming for two, one utterly consistent breaststroke queen, and a new name atop the distance record boards.
Without further ado, here is the complete list of the top ten moments of 2011.
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