Riverside County Represented At Olympic Games Alongside Michael Phelps

Riverside County will make a showing during the 2012 Summer Olympic Games that are set to begin July 27 in London.

Tyler Clary, 23, will hit the pool for the U.S. Men’s Swim Team during the Games after finally earning a spot alongside America’s swimming superstar, Michael Phelps.

Clary, a 2007 Riverside Polytechnic High School graduate who was born in Redlands, raised in Riverside and now calls Fullerton home, just missed making the 2008 Olympic Team, but last week his bid was realized.

During the June 28 U.S. Olympic swimming trials in Omaha, Neb., Clary bested all his teammates except Phelps in the 200-meter butterfly. The second-place win earned Clary the Olympic slot he has been so desperately seeking.

During the 2008 U.S. Olympic trials, Clary finished just one spot shy of an Olympic bid in one event and two slots short in another.

But the 200-meter butterfly was different.

"It's the biggest endorphin rush you could ever experience," Clary told a Los Angeles Times reporter after his 200-meter finish.

Listening in during the Omaha trials, the Times reporter caught the banter between first-time Olympian and seasoned medalist.

"It's pretty cool to make your first one," Phelps told Clary.

"You have no idea how good that feels," Clary replied.

As of July 1, Team USA Swimming states Clary will also hit the pool in London during the 200-meter backstroke. Also qualifying for that event representing the U.S. men's team was Ryan Lochte. 

During the Games, the men’s 200-meter butterfly qualifying heats begin July 30 at 10:38 a.m. (London time); the semi-finals are scheduled at 8:31 p.m. that same day and the final is scheduled July 31 at 7:48 p.m. (all London time). The men's 200-meter backstroke qualifying heats begin Aug. 1 at 10:30 a.m. London time; the semi-finals are scheduled at 7:48 p.m. that same day and the final is scheduled Aug. 2 at 7:46 p.m. (all London time).

Check local listings for broadcast times.