London (CNN) -- Olympic star Ryan Lochte said Friday that he tries to maintain a sense of humor and perspective despite his intense focus on swimming -- one that leaves him little time for romantic relationships or much else besides training and competing. 

In an interview with CNN's Piers Morgan, Lochte showed off one of his grills, which he said shows "part of my personality." Just one of the jewel-encrusted items that often adorn his teeth is reportedly worth $25,000. 

"I am taking this seriously, but there's so much more to life than just swimming," he said. "That's what I want to have people know: You know what, I'm having fun doing this." 

Still, free time for the 28-year-old -- who has been called one of the Olympics' most eligible bachelors -- has been severely limited over the past decade. 

When asked "who gets more women," he or rival and fellow American swimmer Michael Phelps, Lochte said he does by a "60/40" margin. Still, the swimmer -- whose mother, Ike Lochte, created a media hubbub recently when she said her son only had time for "one-night stands," which he explained had to do with sporadic dates and not sexual flings -- said it is hard for him to cultivate a long-term relationship given his training regimen. 

Phelps leads U.S. gold rush in pool 

"I am young, but that's not me," Lochte said of one-night stands. 

"I like being in relationships. When I am in a relationship, I want to give (a woman) my entire heart," he added. "And lately I haven't been able to do that just because swimming has taken such a big role in my life." 
Where does he compete?
London (CNN) -- Olympic star Ryan Lochte said Friday that he tries to maintain a sense of humor and perspective despite his intense focus on swimming -- one that leaves him little time for romantic relationships or much else besides training and competing. 