Ryan Lochte: Reality Star

As most of our readers know, Ryan Lochte has been a sort of a Ladies… mascot over the years. When his star power blew up last summer, it felt like one of our own had finally done good for himself. Obviously, we were pretty excited when it was announced that Ryan would appear in his own reality show on E! (natch). Lochte live in our living room every week? Where do we sign up?

While Ryan is lovely to look at, he’s not that great to listen to. He says really dumb things that make for great television/Internet meme material. So follow me after the jump for the best of What Would Ryan Lochte Do?

More Olympics Photos: Help Pick Our New Cover Page!

I swear, we will post about something non-Olympic soon (although my excuse is that I am trying not to jinx baseball with my team of choice just starting to get their act together again), but today we need your help, lovely readers.  With Pat Burrell officially retired and London 2012 fast approaching, we’d like to put together a new, Olympic themed cover photo for our Facebook page.  Obviously, we will be including the man (who is currently being interviewed on my TV right now! It is distracting!) we all know and love, Mr. Lochte:

Ryan Lochte has Michael Phelps’ number when really, he should have ours.

Lochte and Phelps in Shanghai in 2011. They look so happy and non-competitive here. (Photo: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images)

As if the London Games weren’t already worth watching, we can now happily set our PVRs for fantastic swimming showdowns between bjillion-time medallist Michael Phelps and our new official mascot since Pat Burrell’s retirement, Ryan Lochte. Hot-chte edged Phelps in the 400-meter individual medley Monday night at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Nebraska (what up, Miss Minda!), finishing with a time of 4:07.06. Phelps strolled in at 4:07.89. Tell me this battle isn’t going to be fun to watch! Is there a Canadian in this yet? I can honestly say I don’t care. But only this time.

ESPN’s video gallery which accompanies this story includes the feature Ryan vs. Ryan. I’m not sure what was more impressive: his workout regime or his slow-mo dive into the pool.

31 days until the 2012 Summer Games, you guys!

Annie Leibovitz has the Best Ever Life!

Ryan Lochte is ready for London. (Photo: Annie Leibovitz/Vogue)

Amirite? She’s photographed so many beautiful people in equally beautiful fashion. And surely she reads Ladies… and has noticed our affection for one Ryan Lochte, so she did this just for us. OF COURSE! Seriously, Annie, next time you shoot Ryan, call one of us. You could use an assistant, right? Yes, Annie, I’ll make Ryan wetter…

This photo is part of a spread for Vogue’s June issue in celebration of Team USA’s Olympic hopefuls, on newsstands May 22. But Vogue is crafty, and knew that by releasing these tasty photos we’d be snatching five copies apiece of this issue as soon as it makes its way to Wegmans and Shoppers Drug Mart (remember, I’m in Canada.)

Oh, but wait! There’s more!

Advent Calendar of Hotness: Day 20

(Photo: Getty Images)

Here’s a nice change from football and hockey players: US swimmer and three-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte, who won gold in the Mens’ 200 metre backstroke final at the FINA Short Course Swimming World Championship in Dubai this past weekend. It wasn’t the only individual race he won, and he just may have set a few records and raised the hype bar a little for London in 2012. But for now, let’s focus on the present. Let’s see that medal, Ryan…

(Photo: AP)

Now if that smile doesn’t take the edge off your holiday stress, nothing will.

Lucky 1,300

This is officially the 1,300th post on our fine site and we decided to celebrate with a list of 13 very special hotties. Since we realized it was the 1,300th post pretty late, not every one of the Ladies… was able to join in the fun, but we picked a few individual hotties, plus some “all-time” hotties.

Follow the jump for the pictures!

2009 Swimming World Championships

(Or, a great reason to post gratuitous pictures of Ryan Lochte)

Ryan won four golds at the 2009 World Championships in Rome. His big win came in the 200 meter IM, where he broke Michael Phelps world record. He also got gold in the 400IM, two relay golds and a bronze in the 200 backstroke.

“I felt really good,” Lochte said. “Any time you win a medal or break a world record, it makes you feel special. I knew I would have to swim faster than in previous rounds, but I think I can be even quicker. I will get back in the pool as soon as possible and train even harder.”

Phelps basically retired from this event after the Olympics last summer, leaving an opening for Lochte to step up.

As they said at the end of yesterday’s broadcast, Lochte solidified himself as the second-best swimmer in the world and the US has one hell of a one-two punch.

But enough of the details – I won’t pretend you care. Follow the jump for more pictures from the World Championships

Our Year End Hump Day Hottie Spectacular!

Chances are you’ll be reading this in 2009. That’s okay. It’s a holiday and you were preparing yourself for the New Year’s Eve celebrations. But if you are reading this in 2008 then let’s go through a review of what happened this year. Specifically what happened every Wednesday of this year. Yes, we’re going to be taking a look back at the Hump Day Hotties that have graced our blog in the ’08. Why? Because how could you not want to take a trip down memory lane and remember Ryan Lochte?

So let’s go back through the year that was and enjoy our hotties one more time before we sing “Auld Lang Syne.” And if you’re reading this in 2009, remember when Lochte was so smoking in 2008 he made the Ladies… HDH? Yeah, that was awesome.

Hot Athlete Hotness Update

We love him. In fact he is the Ladies… Number 1 hottie. And, if this is even possible, Ryan Lochte is getting hotter after his Olympic glory. While The Phelps is at his peak levels of attractiveness while dripping wet, in or around the pool, and in various states of undress, Mr. Lochte has carved out his niche as an all around and all the time hottie. In fact, he’s taken up modeling in order to spread his hotness to a larger audience.  Please enjoy some of his newest shots… courtesy of ONTD.

A Note On Our New Banner

The Ladies… are excited about the Olympics, and judging by your response to the Ryan Lochte Hump Day Hottie, you are excited, too. With that in mind, we didn’t want to wait until August to unveil our Olympic banner. Explanation of who these hotties are and their chances in Beijing are after the jump.

Hump Day Hottie: Ryan Lochte

You might already know this, but I’m sort of obsessed with the Olympics. The sports, the pageantry, the athletes who are not, for the most part, in it for the money – I love it all. Since Sunday, I have been ensconced in the swimming Olympic Trials. One look at Ryan Lochte – who will be swimming the 400 IM and maybe more – I knew I had to share him with you.

He’s looking in the stands for me. I’m right here, Ryan!