Conflicting reports surface over Lochte robbery in Rio [Updated]
The athletes involved have stayed largely silent following statements that dispute their earlier story. Criticism over the swimmers’ actions is rising.
Lochte and teammates Gunner Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen were allegedly robbed at gunpoint after taking a taxi back to the Olympic village. Though the International Olympics Committee first denied the story, the organization later issued a statement confirming the swimmer’s account. Now, authorities claim that the athlete’s story was false.
During a Thursday afternoon news conference, Fernando Veloso, chief of civil police in Rio De Janeiro, told reporters quite bluntly, “No robbery was committed against these athletes. They were not victims of the crimes they claimed.”
So, what actually happened that night?
Security footage shows Lochte and teammates Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen went to a gas station at about 6 a.m. Sunday. While there, the crew allegedly busted down a bathroom door and vandalized the station’s property.
Security footage of #LochteGate has been released showing the swimmers leaving a bathroom after they destroyed it. pic.twitter.com/cuTVfC6q9Y
— Jessie Karangu (@JMKTV) August 18, 2016
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