Rio’s Public Ministry says USA swimmer Jimmy Feigen should pay about $50,000 or more than four times what he was ordered to pay by a Brazilian judge.
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Late Thursday, US Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun also apologised “to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil for this distracting ordeal in the midst of what should rightly be a celebration of excellence”.
On Friday, Lochte issued a statement saying he should have been “more careful and candid” in discussing the incident, but maintained a gun was pointed at him by a stranger and that the swimmers were forced to pay money to leave the gas station.
A disciplinary commission has been set up by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), after a group of American swimmers, led by champion Ryan Lochte, was exposed as having fabricated a report about being robbed at gunpoint in Rio de Janeiro.
A lawyer for two of the swimmers-Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger-backed Rio authorities’ account.
“But regardless of anyone else’s behavior that night, I should have been much more responsible in how I handled myself”. Lochte told NBC News’ Matt Lauer on Wednesday that the swimmers had used a restroom at a gas station, but when they returned to the taxi, the driver didn’t move.
But he added: “My only feelings towards them (the swimmers) are pity and contempt”. (Ryan Lochte/Snapchat/Ryan Lochte/Snapchat) US Olympian Ryan Lochte posted this snapchat video showing he and Jimmy Feigen on his night out at Club France in Rio before destroying a gas station bathroom.
“I am unsure why, but while we were in that area, Ryan pulled to the ground a framed metal advertisement that was loosely anchored to the brick wall”, Bentz said. The athletes broke mirrors and damaged other things in the bathroom.
It said it would further review the incident and assess any potential consequences for the athletes.
The public had awaited Lochte’s response after the release of closed-circuit TV footage Thursday that appeared to support at least some of the police’s assertions. “At no point did anyone touch them – the security, no one”.
“I regret this situation has drawn attention away from the Olympics, which have been hosted so incredibly well by Brazil and its citizens”, Bentz said.
Olympic swimmer and gold medalist Ryan Lochte has issued an official apology after the alleged Rio Olympics robbery fiasco, but a quick look at social media suggests that his plan to make amends has backfired, big-time. Brazilian authorities said no robbery occurred. The police official said officers grew suspicious when video showed the swimmers returning to the athletes village wearing watches, which would have likely been taken in a robbery.
Bentz and Conger were jeered by angry Brazilians shouting “liar” and “fake” before leaving for Rio airport on Thursday. “I was drunk, and I made a stupid mistake, ‘” Gaines said.
U.S. swimmer Jimmy Feigen left Brazil Friday, even as he and three other Olympians were set to face an worldwide disciplinary commission for fabricating a story about being robbed a gunpoint.
Brazilian police have recommended that charges be filed against Feigen and Lochte for false reporting of a crime.
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Asked whether she was frustrated that news of the Lochte incident garnered more attention in the USA media than her gold medal performance Thursday, wrestler Helen Maroulis shrugged it off.
