Lochte locked in for Perth
Eleven-times Olympic medallist Ryan Lochte will spearhead a US team attempting to stop Australia from claiming a third consecutive victory in the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series teams race.
The Americans will make their debut in the January 30 to February 1 event at HBF Stadium, taking on Australia, China and Japan for cash prizes.
Lochte, 30, has won five gold medals over three Olympics and holds the 200m individual medley world record. He will lead the 21-strong American team, which includes 10 Olympians.
"The Australian swim team always presents a tough challenge, so to come back to Australia and compete against them is a great racing opportunity for Team USA," Lochte said.
"Perth has a great history of hosting international swimming at HBF Stadium and this event adds to that legacy. This meet is a great chance for fans to come and see some world-class swimming."
Four-times Olympic gold medallist Missy Franklin, 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle world record holder Katie Ledecky and Nathan Adrian, who shaded Australia's James Magnussen by 0.01sec. in the 100m freestyle at the London Olympics, are among the American stars who will miss the meeting. Jimmy Feigen, who won silver in the 100m freestyle at the 2013 world championships, also won't compete.
The greatest Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps, is unable to compete because of a suspension for a drink-driving offence.
Lochte will be joined by London 200m backstroke gold medallist Tyler Clary, three-times Olympic medallist Cullen Jones and 200m freestyle world championships silver medallist Conor Dwyer in a relatively inexperienced men's team.
Six-times Olympic medallist Allison Schmitt, 23, is the most accomplished of the American women heading to Perth.
Dual Olympian Elizabeth Beisel, 22, is also coming.
Swimming Australia chief executive Mark Anderson is excited about the competition.
"For the Australian swim team to race against some of their most rivalled competitors, Team USA, it will bring a fantastic atmosphere to the grandstand and increase the demand for international broadcast, which is an incredible opportunity to grow the sport and showcase what WA has to offer," Anderson said.
Team USA: *Cammile Adams, Kathleen Baker, Elizabeth Beisel, Tyler Clary, Maya DiRado, Conor Dwyer, BJ Johnson, Cullen Jones, Madison Kennedy, Micah Lawrence, Felicia Lee, Ryan Lochte, Becca Mann, Michael McBroom, Cody Miller, Tim Phillips, Allison Schmitt, Shannon Vreeland, Margo Geer, Josh Schneider, Eugene Godsoe.
"The Australian swim team always presents a tough challenge …""Eleven-times Olympic medallist *Ryan Lochte *
