The apology appeared on the American swimmer’s official social media accounts, a day after Brazilian police accused Lochte and three of his teammates of fabricating details of their claim that they were robbed at gunpoint on August 14 by men impersonating officers.
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“But regardless of the behavior of anyone else that night, I should have been much more responsible in how I handled myself and for that I am sorry to my teammates, my fans, my fellow competitors, my sponsors, and the hosts of this great event”.
The 32-year-old, one of America’s most decorated swimmers and the most outspoken about the incident, had originally said he, Feigen and two other team mates, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger, were stopped in a taxi on the way back from a party by gunmen posing as police who stole $400 from them.
Rio’s mayor, Eduardo Paes, accepted the apology but said he had “pity and contempt” for the athletes involved.
A statement by the USOC confirmed claims by the Brazilian police that the four were not robbed, and the intoxicated athletes instead vandalised a petrol station toilet and were questioned by armed guards before they paid for the damage and left. Phelps arrived back on American soil Wednesday morning, just days after Lochte and three other Team USA swimmers became the focus of an alleged robbery gone wrong.
However, Rio police spotted inconsistencies in their initial statements and, following an investigation, civil police chief Fernando Veloso told a press conference that Lochte had lied to cover up a weird episode at a petrol station and the presence of two women the group had met at the party who were in a second taxi.
Lochte originally claimed that their auto was pulled over at gunpoint by men posing as police officers.
Fernando Deluz, a DJ who was passing by the gas station, said he translated for the swimmers, none of whom speak Portuguese, in an attempt to prevent the situation from escalating. Feigen modified his police statement on Thursday and agreed to pay $11,000 to a Brazilian charity in the hope of securing the release of his passport and avoiding prosecution. That’s when two men approached with guns and badges and told them to get out and get down, Lochte said. “We will further review the matter, and any potential consequences for the athletes, when we return to the United States”.
Lochte did not give a full account of what happened during the episode, or explain the ways in which his earlier depictions of events were inaccurate.
Bentz and Conger were jeered by angry Brazilians shouting “liar” and “fake” before leaving for Rio airport on Thursday.
“I want to apologize for my behavior last weekend”.
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Their behavior was also blasted by the head of USA Swimming, Chuck Wielgus.
