Did Phelps Let Chad Win in 200m Butterfly London Olympics 2012? (Phelps 200m Butterfly Loss)

From looking for Phelps Fly strokes while learning how to swim it, I came to his interviews and finally his "retirement" video.

"Phelps tried to hold on, but his glide into the finish opened the door for the South African to win gold."

It looks to me that in the last "glide", Phelps seemed to have let Chad win (since they are good friends?), although in a later interview about his retirement and career, Phelps expressed disappointment that he lost to Chad in the race and said he would do it differently if given another chance although he has no intention (?) of coming back.

It's more and very possible that Phelps lost the edge, the "heart" of his competitve spirit since knowing this is his last Olympic race. No matter how positive he says about his "retirement", it's still a psychological damper that affected his performace.

At first, I was surprised to learn that he was retiring from the Youtube video interview. Why take him out when he still has so much going for him?  Get out only when he starts to lose (and take the embarrassment).  How old is he anyway? Does it matter? Why take him out?  Olympic age limit?

Turned out he lost 2 races in the 2012 London Olympics.  One to Ryan Lochte in which Phelps didn't win a medal at all (first time since 2000).    But his "defeat", I think was caused by psychological damper. In the "retirement" interview, Phelps said he lost because Chad was better prepared. But Phelps didn't sound convinced saying it.

Was it because Chad is younger? But it is doubtful that age has suddenly stepped in when Phelps has been winning all this while.  Phelps won the 100m Fly after losing the 200m against Chad.

Oh, it's just so bad. How did Phelps lose like that? It looks like a mistake in timing at reaching the end, as though he didn't know Chad was just so close beside.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=7VUePwc-A4g



Did Michael Phelps Screw Up? An Olympian Analyzes the Swimmer's Devastating Loss in the 200-Meter Butterfly.