The Ryan Lochte situation in Rio has only gotten worse in the past 48 hours. First he said he was robbed at gunpoint. Then, Rio police issued a search and seizure warrant. And finally, Lochte’s story did not add up and is potentially completely false. Although, in a recent interview with Matt Lauer, Lochte is sticking to his story:
I wouldn’t make up a story like this nor would the others. As a matter of fact, we all feel it makes us look bad. We’re victims in this and we’re happy that we’re safe.
And now a new development has surfaced, and there’s bound to be more on the way. Team USA swimmers Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz were removed by Brazilian authorities from a plane that was about to head to the U.S., U.S. Olympic Committee spokesman Patrick Sandusky confirms.
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BREAKING: The other 2 USA swimmers who say they were w Lochte during robbery have just been pulled off their plane at Rio airport.
— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) August 18, 2016
But now, Lochte’s story has changed considerably since his exclusive interview with The TODAY Show. Apparently, the gun was never put to his head and they were never even pulled over.
Matt Lauer on NBC says Ryan Lochte changed his story in call today. No longer says gun was put to his head, nor that they were pulled over
— Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) August 18, 2016
NBC also reports that judging by the swimmers’ social media accounts, their timelines do not sync up to the alleged robbery. NBC also aired Brazilian surveillance of the swimmers that shows them returning to their lodging with no signs of distress.
But Lochte changed the details of his story yet again…
Lauer: Lochte now says they were ambushed after using gas stn restroom when cab driver refused to drive, gun was “pointed in his direction”
— Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) August 18, 2016
The International Olympic Committee has also completely denied that this alleged robbery ever happened, and Brazilian Judge Keyla Blank ordered that Lochte and James Feigen, another swimmer tied to this incident, have their passports taken and that they remain in the country, along with Conger and Bentz.
Rio police will confiscate passports of US Olympians Gunnar Bentz & Jack Conger and likely release them.
— Gabriel Elizondo (@elizondogabriel) August 18, 2016
Bentz and Conger are also being required to stay in Brazil, as they will most likely face questions regarding the incident at hand. Alongside these two, if Feigen stays, he will have to do the same.
They won’t be allowed to leave Rio. But likely won’t spend tonight in jail.
— Gabriel Elizondo (@elizondogabriel) August 18, 2016
This entire situation has been damaging to all parties, to say the least. And as Lochte is on U.S. soil while his teammates are still in Brazil, there is much more to come.
