US SWIMMER RYAN LOCHTE has been suspended for 10 months for his part in an infamous controversy which occurred during the recent Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The 32-year-old said he and three team-mates – Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and James Feigen – had been robbed after being pulled over by armed men who were posing as police officers.
Lochte claimed a gun had been pressed against his forehead during the ordeal.
But, the story quickly disintegrated and local police said the foursome had actually stopped at a petrol station and vandalised a bathroom before being caught by security guards.
Lochte, who stuck to his story when appearing on US television in the immediate aftermath, later apologised for ‘not being more careful and candid’ and confessed to having fabricated the tale.
Brazilian police have charged Lochte with falsely reporting a crime and that could lead to a six-month prison sentence.
USA Swimming and the US Olympic Committee (USOC) has now banned Lochte for 10 months – which means he will miss the 2017 World Championships.
He must also serve 20 hours of community service and will receive no monthly stipend. He will be unable to use any USOC training facilities and also forfeits the extra funding he was set to receive following his gold medal in Rio.
Meanwhile, Bentz, Conger and Feigen haven’t got off lightly. After the incident, the trio had been blocked from leaving Rio and one – Feigen – was forced to settle a case due to comments he gave in a statement to police. He paid almost $11,000 just to leave Brazil.
They’ve been hit with a 4-month ban and though they don’t have to serve community service, they, like Lochte, will not be paid for the duration of their bans and will not be permitted to use any USOC training centres.
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Lochte America’s idiot sea cow.
The purest form of the chemical element Bro
Brilliant. .John Oliver’s take on Lochte is a comedy must see
Pay ? I thought they were amateur…. Silly me……
Once again the journal has not allowed it’s readers to comment on the Law abiding citizens on the Malahide road ,who just had a difference of opinion and bartered the crap out of each other in front of the general public. But we can’t comment in case we offend the group of people to which the individuals belong . I’m one of this group and so are you . We are Irish citizens. So a bit of Journalistic integrity and stand up for free speech ,as thugs like this should be held accountable regardless of what their background is . The press statement from pavee point condemning this has not been released yet but perhaps they had no one in their office today because of the bus dispute.
Wonder if we’ll be allowed comment if/when that crook Hickey is charged? Seriously, is there any decent journalist out there?
Seems a bit rough.. Nobody died for goodness sake..!!!
Police time was wasted investigating this. That may have meant someone died in Brazil.
Or just as likely a life saved in the local favella by not having cops show up and shooting someone. I think Lochte deserves what he got though.
Cheats never prosper….
Sounds like a job for diarmuid connolly’s legal team again!!
Seems a bit harsh, there was an article from USA Today, a while back that showed that they did not trash any bathroom, in fact all they did was rip a post of the wall of the garage.
If you were drunk and some men who said they were police officers put you at gun point and demanded ($100+?) for a ripped poster not worth a fraction of that, I think you would believe you were robbed too because I mean essentially that was what happened. They demanded way over what the poster was worth and wouldn’t let them leave without it.
Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/08/21/investigation-ryan-lochte-rio-olympics-authorities/89082232/
“An extensive review of surveillance footage by a USA TODAY Sports videographer who also visited the gas station supports swimmer Gunnar Bentz’s claim that he did not see anyone vandalize the restroom”
How much does he get paid?
I’m sure he will compensate with I’m A Celebrity or Dancing on Ice performances. It’s he not 37?
Oh, he’s sure to do well on scripted shows. I feel for his teammates, they certainly paid highly for babysitting him on a night out.