They were confronted by an armed security guard, but he did not point the gun at the athletes, the official said.
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She said they did not appear to be physically or psychologically shaken by the alleged crime.
However, there is increasing scepticism about the athletes’ version of events, with reports on Thursday suggesting Lochte became involved in a physical confrontation with a petrol station security guard on the night in question. Using a customer to translate, the manager asked the swimmers to pay for the broken door. The official says after a discussion, they did pay him an unknown amount of money and left. Olympic Committee official said three of the American Olympic swimmers planned to meet with Brazilian law enforcement to discuss the incident. “James Feigen is also communicating with local authorities and intends to make further statements regarding the incident on Thursday as well”.
On Wednesday a judge ordered Lochte to stay in Brazil and issued a search and seizure warrant for the swimmer, but he had already left the country before the police could seize his passport.
Traveling with Lochte and 26-year-old Feigen were 21-year-old Gunnar Bentz and 20-year-old Jack Conger. They demanded the swimmers get down on the ground, and when Lochte refused, he said one bandit cocked a gun and pressed it up against his forehead.
Lochte had earlier returned to the U.S.
More and more doubt is being cast on four US swimmers, including a San Antonio native, who claimed they were robbed at gunpoint in Rio over the weekend.
By Tuesday Lochte seemed to be the least bit concerned of the events that had taken place since the alleged robbery.
“All are represented by counsel and being appropriately supported by the USOC and the U.S. Consulate in Rio”, Sandusky said.
The swimmers say they were robbed at gunpoint on Sunday morning by men impersonating police officers who took their wallets. It’s unclear where Feigen is, but the USA committee said he is cooperating with Brazilian authorities. Civil Police Chief Fernando Veloso said that the athletes should apologize to Rio.
“They had gone to the bathroom in a gas station”, Lauer said during NBC’s Olympic coverage on Wednesday night, describing what Lochte told him.
Conger and Bentz tried to leave Wednesday night, but were detained at the airport. Feigen also is in Brazil and is cooperating with authorities, NBC reported Thursday morning. Because there have been inconsistencies with the swimmers’ stories, they were wanted for further information, but hours later, there has been no update about what officials have found.
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American Olympic swimmers Gunnar Bentz, left, and Jack Conger, center, leave the police station at Rio International airport early Thursday Aug. 18, 2016.
