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Tyler Clary latest Olympic swim champ to miss Rio team, retires

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Ryan Murphy and Jacob Pebley took the top two spots in the men's 200m backstroke final at Olympic Trials. 2012 Olympic gold medalist Tyler Clary will not have a chance to defend his title.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Olympic 200m backstroke champion Tyler Clary bid farewell at the U.S. swimming trials.

Clary is among those who won’t be defending the titles they won four years ago in London.

The 27-year-old finished third in the 200-meter backstroke final, with winner Ryan Murphy and runner-up Jacob Pebley making their first Olympic teams.

“That’s it,” Clary said, dripping wet after his race. “I don’t see any reason to continue. It’s really not a bad thing.”

Clary also failed to make the Olympic team earlier in the week in the 400m individual medley, 200m freestyle and 200m butterfly.

“This last four years has been pretty tough for a number of reasons,” he said. “I’m really happy to have come into this meet and had what I would say is my best performance in the last quad. Sadly, that wasn’t enough.”

Clary plans to visit a go-kart track with his family for the second time before leaving Omaha.

“I’m looking forward to turning a page in the book of my life and starting a new chapter,” he said. “I’m going to get to do a lot of things that I’ve been wanting to do for years now.”

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