>> he's gorgeous. of course. >> and the voice of england -- ♪ >> a knockout performance by singing sensation alfie bolt. this is pierce morgan tonight. good evening from london, where the first four weeks of the 2012 summer olympics are coming to a close, the drama, controversy, emotions. as for the medal count, u.s. and china are battling. american swimmer ryan lochte a gold medal winner, heartthrob and it's his birthday. he'll join me in a moment. and the fastest woman on earth. ryan, how are you? >> i'm doing good. >> congratulations. >> thank you. >> you just ruined a lunch date i had. it wasn't really a date. it was a female friend who talked nothing about you. >> i'm sorry i ruined your lunch. i didn't mean to. >> you've had a great games. i guess when you came, you probably weren't sure about expectations in terms of medals. you're walking away with a hat full of them. two golds. are you happy? >> yes, i'm happy. i'm coming back to my country with five olympic medals. and that's amazing right there. yeah, i mean, had ups and downs this olympics. i wanted to do better in a couple of events, but you know what, you've got to take the good in with the bad and the bad in with the good. >> last night's ration. it's been an unpredictable competition. it's been great. it's been very unpredictable, very exciting. the fortunes have fluctuated. last nye i saw a great champion rising to the challenge of you. he wanted to prove a point to you, that he wasn't finished. >> no matter what, he's a racer. and at the end of the day, he'll step up on the blocks and race anyone. and that's what i do, too. we have a great rivalry going. we've been racing against each other for eight years now. and you know what, we have a good friendship, too, out of it, too. >> do you compete on other stuff? >> at other stuff? >> are you competitive with each other? drinking competitions? >> yeah, i'd say so. >> who gets more women? >> i've been asked this question before. and i don't know. >> yes you do. come on. it's you, isn't it? >> i think it's a tossup. >> there's only two of you, bro. it's you, isn't it? >> i'm sure it's -- >> don't be so modest. >> 60/40. >> in your favor. i've got a great clip to pay. this is an interview with your mother, whom i love, by the way. i can see where you get your competitive spirit. who would be the right kind of woman for your boy? >> they would have to be a family-loving person that could stand having a large family. and crazy family at that. and just be a real to themselves. >> there you have it. your mother would like you to settle down with a nice good, wholesome family girl. >> i would love to. i mean, that's what i want. i definitely -- i mean, the past four years, or eight years, i really wanted to focus on my swimming. and now that i'm getting older, i want to go on to the more family side. i mean, that's what i really want later on in life is having a family and having kids. >> she also said that you've only got time for one-night stands at the moment. quite a story from your mother. >> i know what she meant by that. >> what does she mean by that? >> she meant that i go on dates. >> right. >> not the one-night stand in a bad way that everyone else is -- >> is there a bad way? you're a young chap. >> i am young, but that's not me. like i like being in relationships, and when i am in a relationship, i want to give them my entire heart. and lately, i haven't been able to do that, just because swimming has taken such a big role in my life right now. >> you could go to a desert island and it would be perfect because you could swim all day. you could take one woman to spend the rest of your life. who would you take right now? >> right now, blake lively. >> would you really? >> yeah. she's gorgeous. >> have you met her? >> no, never met her. >> if she's watching this, and she probably is, what would you say to her? >> i would be like, hi. do you want to go to an island with me? >> she's dating ryan reynolds. i think he's overrated. he's not all that good looking. you could have a shot. he can't do a backstroke like you. >> so i got him on that. >> i think you've got it. blake lively. a perfect match. >> it is. >> tell me about your future. look at your watch, and i'm thinking, you don't need the money, right? look at this thing, it's like a clock. >> yeah. >> that's not really a watch, is it? that's like a clock. how much is that worth? >> a lot of money. way over $10,000. >> really? >> yeah. >> and your grill thing which we'll come to, when my surprise guest comes on, that's $25,000. >> yes. >> you can walk around here at any one time, what, 50 grand worth of -- >> at least. >> you like your bling, do you? >> i do. i love my bling. >> tell me about being an american at the olympic games. what it means to you to represent your country. >> it means the whole world. it means everything. you know, you get a kind of like goose bumps when you walk into a village or any kind of arena at the olympics, because everyone from every country just stops what they're doing and just stares at you. because team usa is coming through. and we're like the most dominating country in the world. and they just stare at you. >> i'm not sure you are anymore, ryan. the chinese are winning more golds than you guys at the moment. >> you know what, the olympics are not over yeflt. i'm rooting for team usa. and i know we still have a couple more swimming races. so i can bet you that we're going to see a lot more gold. >> did you wake up and think chinese? are they the big rivals now? >> you know what, it's hard to choose from a different country, because there's so many that are outstanding. and it's just the way the sport has evolved. if everyone's getting a lot faster, they're finding new ways of training, to getting their selves faster, and it's becoming a great olympics. >> when do you win gold? do you actually know you've won? when you won the first competition, the 400, did you know you'd won that race? because it was so close. >> no. >> so you -- >> i touched the wall. i got my breath back. i took off my goggles and cap. i turned around, and then i saw. so it was after like probably around 20 seconds after touching the wall that i knew that i won. >> did you expect michael phelps to come and congratulate you, or did you understand in that moment he was like, you're the last guy he wants to talk to? >> you know, he did come up and say congrats. >> in the pool, right? >> not in the pool. but i knew he was kind of upset because he wanted to get a medal, if not win. because at this state, that we're in at the olympics, like we're going there to win, we're not going for second or third. so, yeah, he was disappointed. but at the same time he knew we're teammates. >> for people who have never trained for this kind of thing, i've spoken to michael about the training he's done, he's incredible. what kind of dedication does it take to be a gold medal winner at the olympic games? >> it takes a lot, a lot of early-morning practices, and going into a freezing cold pool. >> i can't even understand what would make somebody do that. it's 4:00 in the morning, you get up, you have a load of raw eggs, get in a freezing pool. >> yeah, i mean, it's hard. >> what drives you? what is in your head? >> that, this right here. getting more golds. once you put on a gold medal, and you see your national anthem being raised, it's everything. it's the world. >> what do you feel when you're standing there? you've got the gold, they're playing the anthem. what is going through your mind? >> chills. excitement. everything. knowing that i'm not just swimming for myself, i'm swimming for a whole entire country. and that they're all back home cheering for me. it's one of the greatest feelings in the world. >> do you feel a real patriot when you're swimming? do you feel like you are swimming for america? >> of course. when i put on that swim cap, that has that american flag, i definitely feel patriotic. words can't even describe how -- >> greatest feeling in your life? >> nothing like it. it's something that you will cherish for the rest of your life. >> can you eat whatever you like? are you justo fit now you can go to the huge mcdonald's over there, the world's biggest mcdonald's, gorge yourself on big macs for an hour? >> after this interview i'm going to go over there and get a big mac. >> seriously? >> yeah. just because in swimming, you use every muscle in your body. it's probably one of the best exercises. and we train so much, we burn so many calories, that i'm able to eat whatever i want. and honestly, not gain weight. >> you're a new yorker. and then you moved off. do you feel like you're a new yorker still? >> no. >> what do you feel? >> i can't do the cold that much. i'm a floridaian. i've been there most of my life now. i love the warm weather. >> you moved to florida, what, you were 8 years old you said? >> 11. >> 11 years old. >> yes. >> we're going to bring out a little surprise for you now. in's one guy i really wanted to talk to, your biggest fan, coach, friend, your dad. after the break i'm going to bring out the man who i imagine really knows your secrets. >> all right. >> you're worried, right? welcome back to london. welcome back to london. you were a natural there, ryan. >> i thought so, too. >> welcome. i've heard a lot from his mother in the last week. you've been his mentor, father, friend, i would imagine occasionally his tormenter. you must be very proud this week. >> i'm extremely proud of ryan. we get to the olympics, and i wrote a letter to my swim team back home, and what the olympics really stand for. and it's not about gold medals, world records and things of that sort, it's about the world coming together and competing against each other in the world of sport. and, you know, you walk away from a venue and you see, you know, troubled countries, their t-shirts, their name is on the back of the t-shirts, and you really get the feeling the world has come together and put all the difference toss the side, and competition brings that out. and it's good competition. i've seen countries and individuals congratulate each other. and console each other. and that's really what the olympic experience is really about. and i'm extremely proud of ryan, and what he has done for the united states, and how he presents himself as a human being. >> i couldn't agree more. he's a great role model. how much of that is down to virtues that you've instilled in him? when he was a young guy, what kind of young boy did you try to steer him toward being a man? >> i tried to steer him as being an honest, fun-loving, caring individual. and i think something that a lot of people in this world doesn't really realize about ryan, he's very sensitive. sensitive about other people. i've noticed that since he was an early age. and very caring about other people's feelings. and how other people perceive him. and i think that has a lot to do with, you know, being born and raised on a farm and being out in nature. and i think that's, you know, one of the things that i look at ryan, that i'm the most proud of is the way he presents himself to others. and the way he treats others. >> did you push him hard as a dad? are you one of those parents that, you know what, win? >> yeah, it wasn't like that. it was more like, we were in competition. everything i did, he wanted to do better. >> did he ever beat you, or did you say, you know what -- >> no, never, never. >> come on, ryan, jump in here. the old man said you never beat him. >> i beat him plenty of times. >> up until he was 13, i was in control. after 13, i didn't want to mess with him again. but we wor challenge each other, drink a milk at the kitchen table, see who could drink the milk the fastest, who would get out to the paper. it was something that my dad kind of built into me and i kind of just transferred that to my sons. to challenge themselves intern alli. of course, i won all the time, except until we were wrestling in the kitchen, and he was about 13. and i -- >> yeah. >> well, i was a little bit out of breath after about 30 seconds. i did everything i could to stay with him. and after that, i kind of backed off. you know, then he would come back when he's 15, 16, wanted to wrestle a little bit more and i'm like, no, not today, i've got a -- i always came up with an excuse. >> ryan, i'm detecting where you get the competitive spirit, the charm, the twinkle in the eye, and the ruthless determination to win. the old man. >> oh, from him. it's been in our dna for a long time. like he said, his father, just passed it on to him, he passed it on to me. bd and hopefully i'll pass it on to my kids. >> what is the more extreme emotion, i've wondered this. the father of an olympic star who has a chance to win a lot of gold medals. is there more extreme emotion when they win a gold or lose a race they really wanted to win? as a parent, which is the more extreme? >> that's a hard question to answer. one extreme is, winning the gold medal, for an example, when he won his first gold medal in beijing, the emotion that came through me is a climax of 30-some-odd years of coaching, and 20-some-odd years of being a father, that cultivated to that one event. >> i must say, it was the first time i saw my dad cry. >> really? >> yes. >> was when? >> when i was on the podium, the national anthem was being raised and they showed the jumbotron. and the video camera went straight to him. and i could just see tears running down his face. and right there, i lost it. tears started running down my face. >> he's getting emotional now remembering it. >> it is. but last night it was a different emotion. my heart went out to ryan. because we came here with the six events, hoping for six medals, and hoping for six golds. and it didn't turn out that way. and my heart went out to him, because as a coach, and in swimming, you know what your athletes, your athletes want it more than you do as a coach. and as a father, i knew how bad he had prepared for this. and how much he has given up for this. and so my heart went out to him. but, you know what? it's done and over with, and we're back at the bottom of the barrel. >> if you're going to lose, let's be honest, if you're going to lose to one swimmer in the history of swimming, it may as well be michael phelps, beuse he is probably the greatest swimmer that's ever been. and i think the rivalry has electrified london, britain, america, the world. >> yes. >> it's been a stunning rivalry. and the fact that you both emerge with a hatful of medals, but no one really dominated, is a great testament to the amazing skill of the pair of you, i think. >> oh, yeah. we've been training against each other for eight years now. and just the friendship and the rivalry we've created is definitely going down in history as one of the world's greatest rivalries in the sport of swimming. >> actually, in any sport. it's been exhilarating. i congratulate you, honestly. it's great to see your father, because i see what it means to you, too. my father would be the same. i've got three sons now, and i've had the moment when they bounce you around as teenagers. what is this famous grill you've got? you love this, don't you? ? i do, i love it. >> your mother hates it. your father? >> it's style. >> oh, my goodness. there you go. >> oh, yeah. that feels so good. it's the worst bling i've ever seen in my life. you can't wear this. this is awful. fantastic. why do you do this? what does it say about you when you put this in your mouth? >> you know, i guess it's part of my personality. letting everyone know that, you know, i'm not taking -- well, i am taking this seriously, but there's so much more to life than just swimming. and that's what i want people to know that. you know what, i'm having fun doing this. >> there's a brilliant parody out about you, are you aware of this? it's ryan lochte. i've made plans for us, instead of the usual, i don't know. it's not called being whipped, it's called having respect for your girl. are you amused or bemused by a guy pretending to be you tweeting to the world? >> i mean -- >> you couldn't give a damn, could you. let's move on to much more exciting things. it's your birthday. this is a special pierce morgan tonight cake. forget the watch, forget the medal, this is the big one. happy birthday. >> thank you. >> you're going to get emotional again, steve. >> i won't. >> seriously, congratulations. >> i appreciate it. >> ryan and steve lochte. veronica campbell brown, the fastest woman on earth. track and field is about to take center stage in the olympics in london. you're about to see veronica campbell-brown. i spoke with her about being one of the fastest women on the planet. veronica, how are you? >> i'm doing good. thank you, how are you? >> very well. you're the woman who's going to break all american hearts by beating allison felix, aren't you? >> i don't know what the future holds. but i enjoy what i do. i enjoy track and field and i love the competition. and i'm looking forward to some very good competition with allison, and shelley and a lot of other female sprinters. >> now, i have been to jamaica, and i've actually stayed in a hotel in the very part of jamaica that you're from. it's actually where you say bolt comes from, also? >> yes, chalorny, there are a lot of great sprinters that come from there. >> is it something in the water? what is it? why are you all being created in this tiny little part of jamaica? >> there's a lot of factors. chilorny is known to be the country area, and when i was growing up, my parents, we did a lot of farming, we eat a lot of foods directly from the ground. we walk a lot. it's very hilly. and a lot of -- so i think it may be all the walking that we do, the food, the sun, just the work ethic. there's a lot of factors that contribute to it. >> i remember the yams, and being told that the yams were bang full of carbohydrates. and this was the big secret. are you a big yam eater? >> i do enjoy eating yam. and indeed, there's a lot of carbohydrates in it. and i grew up on it. my parents actually plant yam. and so we produce and reap our own yam. so i like it. it's very delicious. you should try it sometime if you haven't yet. >> no, i've had them. i had them when i was in jamaica. i loved them. you're one of nine brothers and sisters. i imagine it was very competitive when you were young, right? >> absolutely. yes. a lot of us. and so i learned to be competitive from a very young age. >> you used to run bare foot, right? >> absolutely. you're correct. i actually used to race boys on the street bare foot. i actually competed at the national stadium bare foot before. so that's true. >> did you beat the boys? >> i do. i used to race boys, and i used to beat them as well. >> what is the moment like for you? when you're crouching down, in olympic finals, especially the 200 meters of which you've been the gold medal winner two games running now, when you're getting down there and you're the favorite, the pressure's on, what are you feeling in that moment? >> i'm calm. i'm focused. i keep my eyes on the prize. and i try not to let the pressure overwhelm me. i try to focus on what i need to do in the race, to make sure that i run it very technical, and the way i am trained to do it. and so i try to focus on me, and my lane, and just what i need to do, and not so much about what's going on around me, or my competitors. >> does it make you laugh that you are able to hold off, the current sprint kings of the world? and you're able to hold off america, and all these american sprinters when it's 350 times as big as jamaica? >> jamaica and the u.s. have a very rich tradition in the sprint. and i enjoy competing. i enjoy the rivalry, so to speak, that is going on with jamaica and the u.s. and i think it brings a lot of excitement to the spor