The official has direct knowledge of the investigation, according to the AP, and spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about an ongoing investigation.
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Lochte, who has already returned to the United States, told reporters on Wednesday that the swimmers used a restroom at the fuel station and when they got back to their taxi, the driver did not move.
Lauer said he asked Lochte about skepticism that the story may have been fabricated and the swimmer strongly denied the suggestion.
A few of the swimmers then pushed on the door and broke it. But a U.S. official said that, “generally speaking, when a USA citizen is detained overseas, we immediately seek to meet with them, confirm their well-being, contact friends or family members on their behalf, and ensure they are treated fairly according to local laws”.
On Sunday, the swimmers said they were victims of an armed robbery after their taxi was stopped by people impersonating police officers while en route to the Olympic Village following a party. Instead, he said all four swimmers were at a gas station when they were robbed. Another customer translated. The swimmers paid and left. The swimmers gave him an undetermined amount of money and left.
Fernando Veloso, chief of civil police in Rio, said Thursday that there was no robbery.
But while “Lochtegate” continued in Rio, Ryan gave his accounts to media and then he returned to the USA before his teammates could also depart. “They pulled out their guns, they told the other swimmers to get down on the ground”.
After days of confusion, the situation escalated late Wednesday night when Conger and Bentz were pulled from a flight at the Rio de Janeiro airport.
On Wednesday, a judge in Brazil ordered that Lochte and Jimmy Feigen have their passports seized and not be permitted to leave the country as the investigation continues.
NBC reported Wednesday night that Lochte backed off some of his earlier claims, saying the taxi wasn’t pulled over by men with a badge but rather the athletes were robbed after stopping at a gas station. They had fun. They made a mistake.
The closed-circuit video shows one of the swimmers pulling a sign off of a wall and dropping it onto the ground. Two of the swimmers ran into the street and the guard, likely a policeman moonlighting as security, pointed a gun at the other two.
Lochte is already back in the United States. Also in his first account, he said the alleged robber cocked the gun and put it to his head.
According to the Daily Mail, Brazilian authorities have obtained surveillance footage that shows the four US swimmers destroying a gas station bathroom.
“That video shows me nothing – it shows guys coming home at 6 or 7 in the morning and shows me they’re happy that they’re alive”, he said.
While he’s medaled often, Lochte’s accomplishments have always been overshadowed by teammate Michael Phelps – the most decorated Olympian in history.
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Once in Rio, Conger won a gold medal as part of the 800-meter freestyle relay team. Sources at the airport told NBC News Feigen checked in for a flight online but never showed up.
