Blair Evans: Ryan Lochte Eyes Australian Swimmer and Medals at Olympics 2012
US Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte was photographed getting cozy with Australian swimmer Blair Evans.
After completing a swim lap, Lochte caused a stir among crowds and photographers when he was caught touching the 21-year-old's hand underwater.
The Brisbane Times reports that Lochte swam over to Evans to chat with her after she finished practicing and changed into her clothes.
When the photographers stopped taking their pictures and crowds stopped staring at them, the pair left swim practice together which inspired comments from fans online.
The Herald Sun reported that the pair left the pools and took the bus back together to the Olympic Village.
Lochte recently confirmed his dating status when he told British press The Age blog last week: ''My last Olympics, I had a girlfriend - big mistake. I'm single, so London should be really good.''
The 27-year-old has become the most popular swimmer for the U.S. swim team since Michael Phelps. His popularity has inspired fans to create a website featuring photos dedicated him.
Evans dating Lochte is considered controversial, according to several reports. The US and the Australian teams will be competing against each other beginning Saturday when the swimming competition begins. Both countries have longstanding rivalries in several sports.
Both countries are set to swim the 400 IM on the first day. Several reports have suggested that Lochte is likely to beat Phelps in the men's competition.
Evans has won a bronze medal at the 2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships and a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Ryan Lochte has won six Olympic medals and holds the world record in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay, the 200-meter individual medley and the 400-meter individual medley.
