Representatives from the USA consulate arrived at the airport shortly after the swimmers were stopped from leaving.
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The gas station manager, through a customer who translated, asked the athletes to pay for the damages, officias said.
During the two weeks of the Rio Games, the sporting action has been competing for headlines against a series of muggings and armed robberies of high-profile athletes and visitors in Rio de Janeiro, including two government ministers. “They were not victims of the crimes they claimed”, Veloso said during an afternoon news conference Thursday. The police only began to investigate after the media got hold of the story from Lochte’s parents.
“We wouldn’t make this story up”, he told “Today” show host Matt Lauer earlier Thursday in a telephone interview.
Lochte’s father, Steve Lochte, told The Associated Press by phone from his Florida home that his son called him Tuesday after arriving in the United States.
The swimmers could potentially face punishment – probation, suspension, a fine or expulsion – under USA Swimming’s code of conduct, which prohibits dishonesty or fraud. It was not immediately clear where they were headed. On Thursday, authorities in Rio de Janeiro indicted Ryan Lochte and James Feigen on charges of false reporting of a crime. Veloso said. Still, Veloso said he took issue with the way Lochte and the other athletes conducted themselves after the incident. Nevertheless, ABC News reports the swimmers say they were held at gunpoint until they paid hundreds of dollars.
A third swimmer, Jimmy Feigen, who had been under a judge’s order since earlier this week to not leave the country, “provided a revised statement this evening with the hope of securing the release of his passport as soon as possible”, Blackmun’s statement said.
The United States Olympic Committee has condemned the behaviour of the four swimmers involved in an incident at a petrol station last weekend and apologised for the trouble caused.
Police have said the story was a lie and that they and two other US swimmers, including Ryan Lochte, vandalized a gas station.
It was a series of ever-taller tales, after all, that turned a disagreement over a dented door at a gas station into an worldwide incident.
Veloso said the swimmers broke a door, a soap dispenser and a mirror.
The swimmers eventually talk with station workers as their cab leaves. You can also see two of the swimmers holding up their hands. The footage doesn’t appear to show anyone pointing a gun at the swimmers. After a few minutes, the swimmers stand up and appear to exchange something – perhaps cash, as police said – with one of the men.
Police said the swimmers were confronted by security guards carrying guns after leaving a party at the French hospitality house.
Bentz and Conger were reportedly the two who admitted to the authorities that Lochte fabricated his initial story.
After checking in to the flight to Miami, Conger and Bentz were escorted by security to the airport lounge.
As they walked from the building, a waiting crowd shouted “liars” and “fakes”.
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It was unclear if or when Feigen would also be allowed to leave.
