CBC announcer apologizes after confusing Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte

Michael Phelps just won his 22nd Olympic gold medal, besting the competition in the men’s 200-meter individual medley at the Rio Olympics Thursday night. But if you were watching in Canada, you may have been led to believe that Ryan Lochte took the gold.

That’s because a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation announcer called the entire race confusing Phelps for Lochte. As Phelps sped toward the finish, CBC announcer Elliotte Friedman mistakenly identified Lochte as the frontrunner. “Finally he’s going to do it!” Friedman said. “Ryan Lochte is going to beat Michael Phelps in this event in the games, and Phelps might not even make the podium!”

When Phelps was shown as the winner, Friedman apologized on air, saying, “I apologize. I got my lanes mixed up. Phelps with the gold.” Later the announcer tweeted, “I’m sorry everyone. I blew it. No excuses.”

Phelps’ win marked his fourth gold medal at the Rio Olympics, and the 22nd of his career. Lochte has won one gold medal in Rio, for the U.S. men’s 4×200-meter freestyle relay race — an event that also won Phelps a gold.