“We got pulled over in our taxi and these guys came out with a badge, a police badge”, 32-year-old Lochte said in his first interview about the crime.
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U.S. gold medal swimmer Ryan Lochte was robbed in a taxi hold-up in Rio de Janeiro after leaving a party where he had been celebrating the end of the Olympic swimming programme, he told fellow competitor Thiago Pereira.
One of the fake officers put a cocked gun to Lochte’s forehead and took his money and wallet, the swimmer told NBC’s “Today” show.
Lochte said the robbers took his wallet and the other swimmers’ cash, but left him with his Olympic credentials and cell phone.
Patrick Sandusky, U.S. Olympic Committee spokesman, confirmed that the robbers were presenting themselves as police officers and pulled over the cab.
Lochte later posted on Instagram that he is thankful for the support he has received from family, friends and fans, and said that the most important thing is that the athletes were safe and unharmed.
The International Olympic Committee initially denied the robbery took place, despite Lochte’s mother claiming she had been in contact with her son after the incident. “It’s a false story”.
They were also joined by Jimmy Feigen – who won gold alongside Michael Phelps in the 4x100m freestyle.
Ryan Lochte holds a press conference on August 3, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, two days ahead of the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Appearing on NBC, Lochte offered chilling details.
All four athletes were safe and cooperating with authorities, the Olympic Committee said. It was his most unproductive Olympics ever.
In response to the robbery of the Team USA swimmers, Rio Games spokesman Mario Andrada issued an apology to the athletes.
In addition to the swimmers, Swedish tourists were briefly abducted when they visited a slum, Portugal’s visiting education minister was robbed at knife point, bullets flew into the equestrian centre and a Games bus was attacked with stones.
“The USOC is always making sure we’re as protected as we can be”.
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“All I can say in the question is that you can address your question to the USOC who made the statement”.
