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Ryan Lochte won’t defend gold in 400 IM at Rio Olympics

Ryan Lochte won't have the opportunity to defend one of the gold medals he won at the 2012 Olympic Games.

MORE: Rio 2016 Olympics medal design unveiled

Lochte failed to qualify in the 400-meter individual medley Sunday at U.S. Olympic swimming trials, an event he dominated four years ago. He built a sizable lead during the first two legs of the event but fell behind in the breaststroke and freestyle to finish third.

Chase Kalisz swam 4 minutes, 9.541 seconds to win and Jay Litherland (4:11.021) finished second. Both will compete in their first Olympics at this summer's Rio Games.