Settling for silver

BEIJING — A world-record swim stopped Aaron Peirsol in his bid to become the second man to sweep the backstroke events at consecutive Olympic Games on Friday morning in China.

Peirsol, the former Newport Harbor High star, was forced to settle for the silver medal, as he finished second in the 200-meter backstroke behind fellow American Ryan Lochte, who touched the wall in 1 minute, 53.94 seconds and lowered the world record he had shared with the runner-up.

Peirsol finished in 1:54.33, while Arkady Vyatchanin of Russia, who led the first 150 meters, took the bronze in 1:54.93.

The previous world record was 1:54.32, which Lochte set when he beat Peirsol at the 2007 World Championships. Peirsol won the 200 back ahead of Lochte at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb. last month, when the Newport Harbor alumnus tied the world-record time.

This time, Lochte took the lead over the final 50 meters and humbled Peirsol.

“I gave it my all. I had nothing left,” Peirsol told reporters afterward. “Ryan handed me a great race, but I have no regrets.”

Peirsol, 25, won the gold medal in the 100 back in a world-record time of 52.54 seconds Monday. He captured gold medals in the 100 and 200 back at the 2004 Olympics.

Overall, he has won four golds, including the 400 medley relay at the Athens Games, and two silver medals in the three Olympics he has competed in.

The 25-year-old will race the first leg in the 400 medley relay Saturday at 7:58 p.m., Pacific Standard Time.

He will most likely be trying to help phenom Michael Phelps win his eighth gold medal, breaking an Olympic record set by Mark Spitz.

For a complete story on Peirsol’s 200 back race and community reaction, go to the Sports section.

— From staff reports