Ryan Lochte talks Speedos and his biggest supporter-- his mom

If you don’t follow sports, perhaps you know six-time Olympic-medalist Ryan Lochte. . . from his Vogue cover! Yep, that was him on the June issue, sandwiched between soccer player Hope Solo and tennis star Serena Williams looking mighty fit and competition-ready. With just weeks to go before the Olympic Games in London, we spoke to Ryan about the personal items he can’t live without and his biggest supporter -- his mom, Ileana. See what Ryan says he's learned from her and what Ileana considers her proudest Olympic mom moment to date.

When Ryan Lochte’s mom, Ileana, watched her 6-year-old son swim at his first mini meet, she immediately had a feeling something unusual was going on. His form was “wonderful” and his love for the water was intense. Many more meets and practices came and went and before too long Ileana was watching Ryan win medals alongside his Team USA friend and rival Michael Phelps. Ryan won his first individual Olympic gold medal in 2008 for the 200-meter backstroke. That moment, and afterwards when he made a beeline to hug his mom in the crowd, were Ileana’s proudest so far.

As Ryan goes for the gold again in July, Ileana will be rooting for him and supporting him from the sidelines along with many other moms of athletes. Procter & Gamble has been acknowledging their important contribution to their kids' success with a campaign called, “Thank you, Mom.” (We dare you to go to the website and watch a video without a tissue at the ready.) Last month, P&G even announced that it would give the mother of each of the nearly 800 Team USA Olympians and Paralympians a $1,000 Visa Rewards Card to help moms watch their kids compete in person.

Athlete or not, you can send your own mom a message of thanks on the "Thank you, Mom" Facebook page.

What’s the event you’re most excited to watch at the Olympic Games? Post on our Facebook wall and let us know.

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