While Ryan Lochte and three other US swimmers race to rebound from the controversy created over their behavior at a gas station in Rio, others are asking if the late-night ruckus could cast a shadow on the future careers of these Olympians.
The swimmers — Lochte, James Feigen, Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz — claimed they were robbed in the early morning hours of August 14 as they returned from a party, an allegation Brazilian police deny. Brazilian authorities say the American swimmers actually vandalized a gas station bathroom and then got into an altercation with security guards.
The International Olympic Committee announced Saturday it has set up a disciplinary commission to investigate the incident and assess if the swimmers should face any punishment.
After taking a public pounding for initially reporting they had been robbed, Lochte apologized Friday on Instagram for “not being more careful and candid” in how he described the events of last weekend.
The 32-year old swimmer said he accepted responsibility for his role in the incident and had “learned some valuable lessons.”