Ryan Lochte is in deep water.
The twelve-time Olympic medalist has been suspended for 10 months for his gas station incident in Rio. He’ll also be banned from the 2017 world championship meet in Budapest.
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Lochte made headlines worldwide following his gas station robbery scandal, where he claimed he and his teammates were robbed at gunpoint.
“They pulled out their guns,” Lochte said in August. “They told the other swimmers to get down on the ground, they got down on the ground. I refused. … The guy pulled out his gun, he cocked it, put it to my forehead and said ‘get down.’ I was like – I put my hands up. I was like ‘whatever.’ He took our money, he took my wallet.”
Of course, the story turned out to be completely fabricated. Brazilian police reported that Lochte and his teammates in fact vandalized a gas station bathroom and were confronted by security guards, not armed robbers looking to make a quick buck. Lochte later apologized for his lie and for his behavior.
“This was a situation that could and should have been avoided,” Lochte said. “I accept responsibility for my role in this happening and have learned some valuable lessons. Regardless of the behavior of anyone else that night, I should have been much more responsible in how I handled myself and for that am sorry.”
But Lochte isn’t the only one suffering the consequences of his actions. His teammates who were involved in the vandalism will also receive a 10-month suspension.
Do you think the punishment fits the crime?
[ H/T USA Today ]
