VIDEO: TV Announcer Confused Ryan Lochte With Michael Phelps in Gold Medal Race

2016 Olympics: Canadian broadcaster Elliotte Friedman incorrectly calls the Men's 200m Individual Medley for fifth-place finisher Lochte

August 12, 2016

Well, this is awkward.

Canadian announcer Elliotte Friedman was excited to call the Men’s 200m Individual Medley finals at the Olympics in Rio on Thursday night, so excited that he accidentally confused U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps with Ryan Lochte for the entire two-minute race.

“[Lochte] has never ever beaten Michael Phelps in this competition in the Olympic games,” Friedman announced with zeal, while Phelps was absolutely crushing Lochte.

“Finally, he’s going to do it! Ryan Lochte is going to beat Michael Phelps in the Games …. And Phelps might not even make the podium,” he continued, over footage of Phelps winning the gold and Lochte finishing fifth.

Friedman realized his huge mistake after Phelps took off his goggles. “I apologize,” he said, his voice a few octaves lower. “I got my lanes mixed up.”

The broadcaster later apologized again on Twitter:

Watch a clip from the race in @Yair_Rosenberg’s tweet (above).

You Give us your email Address we'll give you even more howard!

By signing up, I agree to receive newsletters and marketing emails from the Howard Stern Show and accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy