The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.
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“I know that Ryan didn’t want this to turn into what it did”, Ostrow said.
Four American swimmers competing in the Olympics, including six-time gold medalist Ryan Lochte, were robbed at gunpoint in Rio early Sunday, authorities said.
“This happened the way he described it”, Ostrow said.
The robbery of one of the Games’ most celebrated athletes – together with team mates Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen – has fed concern over safety at the first Olympic Games in South America. The outing was several hours after Olympic swimming ended Saturday night at the Rio Games.
Lochte was robbed along with fellow US swimmers Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen while riding in a taxi back toward the Olympic village. “I am honored to have represented the USA here at the Rio Olympics and to win gold for my country alongside my teammates”.
The 32-year-old confirmed to NBC News that he and three other swimmers were in a taxi when they were attacked by men posing as police officers. Lochte recounted the events in an interview with NBC News.
Lochte said the auto was approached by guys with a police badge, who pulled out their guns and told the athletes to get on the ground.
“We regret the violence has got so close to the athletes”, Mario Andrada said during the daily media briefing at the Games.
“And then the guy pulled out his gun, he cocked it, put it to my forehead and said, “Get down” and I put my hands up, I was like “whatever”.
Word of the robbery initially created confusion between Olympic and US officials.
Lochte’s initial response appears to clear up early confusion by Olympic officials about whether Lochte and his teammates were robbed. “We have requested the security authorities that they need to make sure that everybody is safe everywhere in the city”. Athletes and visitors have been told to use caution around the Olympics.
Authorities are treating the swimmers as victims and continuing to investigate, looking for security footage at the French hospitality house and nearby gas stations to build a timeline of the night.
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When the International Olympic Committee was asked Sunday morning at a news conference about a robbery involving the USA swimmers, a spokesman said it was not true. “I think we all trust our security guys and they have done a great job throughout this whole trip with us”.
