Riverside’s Clary Takes Gold in 200m Backstroke

Riverside's Tyler Clary took home gold in the men’s 200m backstroke Thursday for his first Olympic medal.

He finished with a time of 1:53:41, an Olympic record.

United States teammate Ryan Lochte won bronze. He won the event in 2008 with the same exact time that he swam Thursday.

Clary, who trains with the Fullerton Aquatics Sports Team, finished fifth in the 200m butterfly Tuesday.

His backstroke competition was his last scheduled event at these Olympic Games.

Clary finished with three silver medals at the 2011 Pan American Games. The only obstacle that prevented him from winning three gold medals at that competition was Lochte, who had a grueling scheduled Wednesday -- two qualifiers and two semifinals.

Clary and Lochte finished first in their respective heats Wednesday -- Clary at 1:54.71 and Lochte at 1:55.40.

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