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 have n't been able to do that just because swimming has taken such a big role in my life . '' If he could choose anyone to whisk away to a deserted island , the Rochester , New York , native did n't hesitate as to who he 'd pick : `` Gossip Girl '' actress Blake Lively . `` She is gorgeous , '' he said of Lively , who is currently dating actor Ryan Reynolds . As to what he 'd say to her if they met , Lochte jokingly said , `` I would be like , 'Hi ... You want to go to an island with me ? ' '' Lochte entered the London Games as one of his nation 's most highly touted athletes , having won two golds and two bronze medals four years earlier in Beijing and threatening to topple Phelps from his perch atop the swimming world this year . London 2012 : Live blog . Immediately , he made a splash by defeating Phelps and others for the 400-meter individual medley gold on the day after the opening ceremony . His luster was tarnished slightly the next day when France 's Yannick Angel chased him down on the final leg of the 4X200-meter freestyle relay to win that race . That silver was better , though , than his result Monday when he finished fourth in the 200-meter freestyle individual race . Lochte rebounded with two medals on Thursday -- bronze in the 200-meter backstroke and a silver in the 200-meter individual medley , this time finishing right behind Phelps . The next day , the swimmer acknowledged to CNN that he 's had `` ups and downs '' during the London Games but overall , he 's satisfied with his performance . `` I 'm happy , '' he said . `` I 'm coming back to my country with five Olympic medals . And that 's amazing right there . '' Bold move put Gabby on path to gold . Getting to this point has n't been easy . Lochte pointed to his exhaustive focus on swimming over the past eight years , involving `` a lot , a lot of early morning practices ... going into a freezing cold pool . '' But he said that it 's all been worth it to put on a swim cap adorned with an American flag , and especially when his national anthem is played after a gold medal performance . `` It 's everything -- chills , excitement , knowing that I 'm not just swimming for myself , I 'm swimming for my whole entire country . It 's one of the greatest feelings in the world , '' Lochte said . `` There 's nothing like it . It 's something that you will cherish for the rest of your life . ''
U.S. swimmer has won 5 medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics , after winning 4 in 2008 . He says winning medals for his country is ` ` one of the greatest things in the world '' It is difficult to have a long - term relationship given his age , he says . If he could go to a deserted isle with anyone , Lochte says he 'd pick Blake Lively .