US Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte described the events at a Rio de Janeiro gas station as “traumatic” in an apology Friday over his actions.
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As for why he hadn’t spoken publicly sooner, “I waited to share these thoughts until it was confirmed that the legal situation was addressed and it was clear that my teammates would be arriving home safely”, he penned.
International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams told The Associated Press the panel was formed Friday to look into the behavior of Lochte, Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen.
The U.S. Olympic Committee on Thursday night apologized to Brazil for the “distracting ordeal”. Brazilian police say the story was to cover up an incident in the gas station when a bathroom door was damaged by the four who were drunk.
Brazilian authorities said they have questions about what happened that night and have concerns over inconsistencies in the accounts of the events.
Brazilian officials have suggested bringing charges against Lochte and other swimmers, though whether this Twitter apology will help lessen the chances of that remains to be seen.
I should have been more careful and for having atracted the attention far from the ones coming to the Olympic Games, to represent their respective countries, ‘ said Ryan Lochte in a communique.
Until his apology, Lochte had been silent about the situation after he returned to the United States early this week. Lochte said two men tried to force them to the ground, one pointing a gun inches from him when he refused.
Lochte’s attorney, Jeff Ostrow, said the incident still amounted to a robbery and the new information and video did not change that view.
Lochte also did not, however, roll back on his allegations the swimmers had been robbed at gunpoint by men posing as police. Another person stepped in to intervene between the athletes and the guards, and the athletes left money, police said. “But, as we say in Brazil, ‘A lie has got short legs.’ And the population should be proud of our image around the world”. The security police pulled a gun on the swimmers to ensure they wouldn’t leave the scene, authorities said. Lochte broke his silence about the matter the next morning, on Friday.
That outrage was evident Thursday, as onlookers shouted “liars” and “shameful” at Bentz and Conger as they left a police station where they gave statements.
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A statement posted on Facebook said the decision was made in a court appearance to answer police accusations that Feigen and fellow swimmer Ryan Lochte had made false claims that they were robbed. Lochte, a 12-time medalist, won a gold in Rio in a relay race alongside Phelps.
