Ryan Lochte, Teammates Apologize For Incident In Rio
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- From embarrassing headlines to an apology, U.S. Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte says he's sorry for what he did in Rio. The incident turned into a black eye for the United States swim team.
The six-time Olympic gold medalist is finally commenting after this has now turned into a scandal. Lochte says he's learned some valuable lessons from the incident in Rio.
After backlash and questions hammering the validity of his story in Rio, Ryan Lochte broke his silence, releasing a statement Friday.
Police claim the group of Olympic swimmers were drunk and belligerent on Sunday morning, August 14.
Security footage shows the athletes coming down a walkway at a gas station, as one appears to tear off a poster. At some point, they make their way back to the bathroom, where police say they vandalized one of the stalls.
Lochte originally claimed they were returning from a night of partying when they were robbed at gunpoint, but authorities say he concocted the story to cover up what actually happened with him, Maryland native Jack Conger and their two teammates.
American flags and signs decorate the home of Jack Conger's family in Rockville. The Olympic swimmer made his way back to the U.S. on Friday after being held in Brazil to testify.
"Can't comment," his father, Stephen Conger, said. "I'm glad he's back, absolutely."
Conger and Gunnar Bentz didn't say a word when they touched down in Miami, while Lochte has now hired a P.R. firm to deal with the fallout of what could have been about breaking a bathroom door
"Instead, it's become this international incidents, and it's embarrassing for USOC, it's embarrassing for Ryan Lochte, it's embarrassing for his three teammates," said Nancy Armour, USA Today sports columnist.
Gunnar Bentz released a statement late Friday night, giving his version of the story.
Three of Lochte's sponsors are now reviewing the situation. Apparently, he returned to North Carolina before Rio police could question him again.
The U.S. Olympic Committee has now apologized to the people of Brazil and says what these swimmers did is unacceptable.
