Silence is the Key to Defeating Michael Phelps

Dara Torres, the first U.S. swimmer to compete at five Olympics, gave a bit of inside information to the London Associated Press regarding how to defeat Michael Phelps. Phelps' rivalry with U.S. teammate, Ryan Lochte will have all eyes on them at this year's Olympic Games. ''If I was his competitor, I wouldn't say a word,'' Torres said Thursday. Torres had an Olympic career that ran from 1984 through 2008 which won her 12 medals. She suggests remaining quiet is the key. Any verbal instigation could works to Phelps' advantage. ''He takes that very seriously, and he uses that against his competitor,'' Torres said. A friendly bit of rivalry is to be expected as long as it remains just that. Phelps snagged a whopping 8 gold medals in Beijing in 2008 and currently holds more Olympic gold medals than any other. In London, Phelps and Ryan are set to compete in the 200- and 400-meter individual medleys against one another. ''Obviously, people like showdowns, and there is a showdown between Phelps and Lochte, and it's going to be really fun to watch because they are both just fiercely competitive,'' Torres said. ''There's finally someone at Michael's feet giving him a run for his money. Michael wants to win, and Ryan doesn't want to lose, either.''