Lochtegate is a name of a scandal involving members of the United States swim team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the 2016 Summer Olympics.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Incident

On the morning of August 14, 2016, Ryan Lochte and Jimmy Feigen claimed that they and teammates Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger were robbed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the 2016 Summer Olympics after four men allegedly forced them out of their taxi at gunpoint in the early morning hours.^[6][7] The next day, Lochte claimed in an interview with Billy Bush on the Today Show that the men who stopped their taxi had a police badge.^[8] The other swimmers confirmed they were removed from the taxi by armed security men, who commanded them at gunpoint to sit on the sidewalk, and demanded payment for alleged vandalism;^[9] statements by the police chief also confirmed the swimmers were commanded at gunpoint to pay, and were directed at gunpoint to "contain" them in the area, but the police chief did not consider it kidnapping or armed robbery, but merely a demand for money at gunpoint, circa 6am. The reports also confirmed Lochte did not urinate in the bushes.^[9]

Investigation

After Lochte had flown home on August 16, Conger and Bentz were prevented from leaving, and their passports were seized to have them testify as witnesses of the incident.^[10][11] A judge in Brazil also issued a search and seizure warrant for Lochte and Feigen; Feigen subsequently contacted the authorities, and said he would make a public statement when the matter was settled.^[12] Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro concluded that the athletes were not robbed, but instead had been involved in an incident at a gas station in Barra da Tijuca, west of the city; according to the owner and other sources they broke a soap dispenser in the bathroom, damaged a door, tore down a sign and urinated around the premises.^[13][14] This investigation found that the swimmers stopped at a gas station near Casa França, where they were held by security guards regarding vandalism the swimmers had caused in a bathroom while intoxicated.^{[15][16][17][18]} They also claimed that the swimmers had already paid in cash 100 reais ($31) and $20 in U.S. currency as compensation for objects from the bathroom which were damaged, such as a soap holder, a mirror, and a "Please Do Not Enter" sign.^[19]

According to anonymous police sources, Conger and Bentz at first told the police Lochte's story was fabricated.^[20] The Associated Press reported that Conger and Bentz "refuted Lochte’s claim that the group was held up by armed assailants"^[21] On August 18, police recommended Lochte face charges for falsely reporting a crime.^[22] On August 19, Lochte posted an apology on Instagram for his behavior.^[23]

Aftermath

In Brazil, the incident was condemned for drawing additional attention to crime and violence in Rio de Janeiro.^[24] The International Olympic Committee created a disciplinary commission for the four swimmers, to investigate the matter and potentially sanction the athletes.^[25] U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun apologized for the incident^[26] and stated that further action would occur involving the four, without commenting on specific disciplinary actions.^[27]

Lochte apology and loss of sponsors

Lochte gave another television appearance on August 20, 2016, where he continued to deny the premises of the situation, while apologizing for his "immature" decisions and behavior.^[28] Lochte later admitted he was drunk and that his claims were "over-exaggerated".^[29] Thereafter, Speedo and Ralph Lauren ended their endorsement deals with Lochte, with Speedo announcing that the company would donate $50,000 from Lochte's endorsement fee to Save the Children in Brazil.^[30] The Brazilian newspaper O Globo reported that other sponsors of Ryan Lochte, the Airweave and Syneron Candela also terminate their contracts. According to a commentator and sports business analyst for ESPN, Darren Rovell, Lochte will miss out on US$1 million.^[31]

Feigen pays $10,800 fine

Feigen agreed to pay a fine of approximately $10,800 to a Brazilian charity in order to get his passport back.^[32] USA Today reported that Feigan left Brazil on August 19 after his passport was released and the fine was paid;^[33] just before he left, the local prosecution made an appeal to increase the fine to $47,000.^[34]

Bentz Statement

After Bentz returned to the United States, he released a statement about the incident. He admitted to urinating behind the gas station, and wrote that Lochte pulled down a framed metal advertisement.^[35]

Conger Apology

After Conger returned to the United States, in a statement he apologized and admitted the team had urinated on an alleyway wall, and wrote that Lochte removed a poster from a wall.^[36]

USA Today Investigation

Seven days after the incident, USAToday reported that they had conducted interviews and sent an investigation team to the gas station where the incident had occurred. They stated that "not everyone has concluded Ryan Lochte and his teammates are entirely in the wrong or that the account offered by Rio authorities is entirely accurate."^[37] The investigation team did not find any evidence of damage to the bathroom.^[38] A security video confirmed that the Rio police chief had exaggerated what had happened and that the swimmers never entered the bathroom.^[37] However, they were confronted while urinating near the backside of the gas station and appeared to be intoxicated.^[37] The report also stated that "João Batista Damasceno, a Rio judge, does not discard the possibility that the guards' actions could be rightly interpreted as a robbery."^[37]

A report by USA Today on August 23 also stated that the Rio police had never questioned the swimmers about their alleged vandalism.^[39]

See also

• Concerns and controversies at the 2016 Summer Olympics

References