ABC News’ “Good Morning America” aired footage on September 13 of two protesters rushing Olympian Ryan Lochte and his dancing partner, Cheryl Burke, during the season premiere of “Dancing With The Stars” on September 12 (video below).
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It’s not clear whether the men made any physical contact. As early as last night, we had footage of the two men wearing anti-Lochte t-shirts and sitting quietly with their hands tied behind their backs.
A BBC Worldwide Productions spokesperson said the two individuals “were immediately subdued and escorted out of the building”. Audience members and reporters on the scene snapped quick videos and images while ABC’s cameras were fixed on judge Carrie Ann Inaba, Lochte, Burke, and Bergeron – all of whom were either irritated or shocked at the interruption. Fortunately, the security were able to tackle them before getting any nearer.
Ryan Lochte says he feels “a little hurt” after being involved in an incident on “Dancing with the Stars” that prompted producers to cut to a commercial.
Los Angeles police have identified the men on stage as Sam Satoodeh and Barzeen Soroudi.
Lochte and Burke got a respectable score of 24 for their dance but were topped by US Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez and her partner with 31. Host Tom Bergeron responded by announcing the show was cutting to commercial.
Lochte went on to dance, though CNN reports that his feelings were hurt by the protest, saying, “You know, at that moment, I was really heartbroken…”
Lochte is attempting to fix his image after embellishing a story that he and three USA Swimming teammates were robbed at gunpoint during the Olympic Games in Rio.
Anything can happen on live TV, and no one knows that better right now than Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte. “I didn’t want to do something I wasn’t completely comfortable with and I did”.
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Last month, Lochte was charged with making false report of robbery after claiming that he and three fellow US swimmers were robbed at gunpoint after competing at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
