In a statement on Monday, swimwear manufacturer Speedo said it made a decision to end its relationship with Lochte as his conduct ran “counter to the values this brand has long stood for”. He also told Lauer that he “overexaggerated” the first account and “if I’d never done that, we wouldn’t be in this mess”.
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The ammount that Speedo are contractually obliged to pay to Lochte – around $50,000 – will instead be given to the charity Save the Children in Brazil, the swimwear firm said in a statement.
Disgraced American swimmer Ryan Lochte is hoping to rebuild his image by appearing on United States television show Dancing With the Stars, according to reports.
Shortly after, Ralph Lauren announced the termination of their contract with Lochte, as well, saying that the endorsement deal was “specifically in support of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games”, and that they “will not be renewing his contract”. Lochte appeared in a promotional video for Gentle Hair Removal, in which he said the service “was the best thing that’s ever happened”.
Lochte’s career is in tatters after he admitted to “overexaggerating” his story about being robbed at gunpoint in Rio during the Olympic Games.
Speedo is removing Lochte as their brand endorser, while Ralph Lauren had removed his profile on their website.
Syneron-Candela, the parent company of Gentle Hair Removal where Lochte served as a spokesperson have also confirmed their involvement with the swimmer is over. “I respect the athletic performance of Ryan, and as long as he is a respectable athlete, he will remain the US ambassador for Airweave as long as our partnership remains effect”, he said.
Airweave tweeted: “After careful consideration, we have made the decision to end our partnership with Ryan Lochte”. Officials later revealed that the early Saturday-morning incident was quite different: Lochte and some of his teammates vandalized a gas station, urinated on the premises, then paid for the damages when confronted by armed guards. However, both emphasized that they would still continue to support other athletes at both the Olympics and Paralympics.
“Syneron-Candela will be ending its partnership with Ryan Lochte”, said the company’s statement.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Conor Dwyer (USA), Townley Haas (USA), Ryan Lochte (USA) and Michael Phelps (USA) with their gold medals after the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay final in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Olympic Aquatics Stadium. “And my immature, intoxicated behavior tarnished that a little”, Lochte added on the interview.
The three other swimmers – Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen – have all released statements apologizing for their role in scandal, as well.
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Lochte, 32, won one gold medal at the Rio Olympic Games.
