After being triumphant during the Rio Olympics, the USA swim team is in deep water (no pun intended).
Brazil police revealed that gold medalist Ryan Lochte’s story about being robbed at gun point was fabricated! A video of Lochte and his teammates was released to the public earlier today, which shows four member of the swim team trying to enter a gas station bathroom.
Rio de Janeiro civil police chief Fernando Veloso told ESPN “No robbery was committed against these athletes. They were not victims of the crimes they claimed,”. Veloso said that the four vandalized the restroom and tried to flee in their taxi. Gas station employees tried to control the situation, a security guard would inform the taxi driver to stop until the cops arrive.
The security guard did use a gun to control the situation, which is where Lochte might of fabricated the story. Once Rio police arrived, a third person offered to interpret and explained to the athletes that they would have to pay for damages. They offered to pay with a $20 bill and 100 reals which equals to $51 dollars.
USA Swimming released a statement saying “That this is drawing attention away from Team USA’s incredible accomplishments in the water and by other athletes across the Olympic Games is upsetting. The athletes and their remarkable stories should be the focus.”
Watch the surveillance footage below:
