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Here's Ryan Lochte, an Olympic swimmer for the US, after winning the gold medal in the 400 metres individual medley.

Here's Michael Phelps, the greatest swimmer in Olympic history, finishing fourth. Phelps failure to medal left fans flabbergasted.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) US SWIMMING FANS, JESSICA AND MARTIN BRANDT, FROM TUCSON, ARIZONA SAYING:

JESSICA: "I was surprised that Michael Phelps didn't medal., honestly. We were hoping I think Ryan would win, because I think he's a little bit of the underdog."

MARTIN: "Yeah and the new guy, so I mean that's exciting."

JESSICA: "But I wanted to see MIchael Phelps win."

(SOUNDBITE) (English) US SWIMMING FAN FROM COLORADO, VANCE HAWK, SAYING:

"I mean Ryan Lochte is a good swimmer as we all know, but Michael Phelps is a good swimmer too, and to not even place is pretty surprising for American fans, especially here."

(SOUNDBITE) (English) US SWIMMING FAN, KATIE BERRY FROM CHICAGO, ILLINOIS , SAYING:

"I am very shocked, usually you think Phelps was a guarantee at least to medal if not first, but at least USA won, so that was good, just not the one we thought.

This was the first time Phelps had missed out on a medal since he was a 15 year old competing in the Sydney Games in 2000.

Julie Noce, Reuters