Ryan Lochte: Olympic US swimmer 'faked gunpoint mugging to cover up petrol station fight'

CCTV: Ryan Lochte was captured on CCTV with other swimmers
Reuters
Jamie Bullen19 August 2016

Olympic gold medallist Ryan Lochte fabricated a story about being robbed at gunpoint in Rio, Brazilian police have said.

It was reported the US star athlete was threatened in a taxi after leaving a party on Sunday but an official close to the investigation said that was untrue.

Brazilian media said the athletes vandalised a petrol station in Barra da Tijuca, a suburb of Rio where many Olympic venues are located.

O Globo reported one of the swimmers tore down an advertising sign when they were asked to use a bathroom after urinating on the station's wall.

Claims: Brazilian police said Ryan Lochte fabricated the gunpoint robbery
PA

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, they said Lochte and fellow swimmers Jack Conger, Gunnar Bentz and Jimmy Feigen were confronted by a guard at a petrol station when a door to an outside bathroom was broken.

The security worker was reportedly armed with a pistol but never took it out or pointed it at the swimmers.

The official said the gas manager arrived and asked the swimmers to pay for the broken door using a translator and received an unknown amount of the money before the athletes left.

They said two of the swimmers, Conger and Bentz, who were pulled off a plane going back to the United States late on Wednesday, told police that the robbery story had been fabricated.

Lochte first lied about the robbery to his mother, Ileana Lochte, who spoke with reporters, the police official said. That led to news coverage of the incident and prompted police attention.

United States Olympic Committee (USOC) spokesman Patrick Sandusky said late Thursday morning that Lochte's teammates were scheduling a time and place to meet with authorities.

"All are represented by counsel and being appropriately supported by the USOC and the US Consulate in Rio," Sandusky said.

The swimmers could face punishment, probation, suspension, a fine or expulsion, under USA Swimming's code of conduct, which prohibits dishonesty or fraud.

Mario Andrada, a spokesman for the Rio organizers, said he was relieved that the story had turned around.

He said: "Let's give these kids a break. Sometimes you take actions that you later regret.

"Lochte is one of the best swimmers of all-time. They had fun, they made a mistake, it's part of life, life goes on, let's go."

Lochte returned to the US on Monday while the other three swimmers remain in Rio.

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