Ryan Lochte is a 32-year-old Olympic medalist who has found success as one of Michael Phelps’ greatest competitors. On Sunday, a dramatic account surfaced of Lochte and three other Olympic swimmers being robbed at gunpoint in Rio. On Thursday, that story began to unravel as Brazilian police suggested it had been fabricated. The facts are still unclear, and the story has certainly detracted from the incredible athleticism on display in Rio. But in an effort to provide clarity, here’s a timeline of Lochte’s Olympic controversy.
Sunday morning, August 14. Initial report via Twitter, followed by denial
Reports began to surface early Sunday morning, when Ben Way of Fox Sports News tweeted that Ryan Lochte, Olympic Gold medalist, had been held up at gunpoint in Brazil.
BREAKING: @USASwimming Gold medallist Ryan Lochte has been held up at gunpoint at a party in Brazil.
Details on @FOXSportsNews 500.— Ben Way (@BenWayFOX) August 14, 2016
Following the Sunday morning rumors, International Olympic Committee spokesman Ryan Adams said that the [story] “is absolutely not true.”
Later that morning, however, Lochte’s mother, Ileana Lochte, confirmed the Sunday morning robbery to USA Today. She added details of the swimmers’ wallets being stolen. With conflicting reports, and apparent denials from the IOC, the need for clarification was resolved by Lochte.
Sunday early afternoon, August 14. Lochte confirms he was robbed at gunpoint
Lochte described the robbery to NBC News. In a video interview with Today’s Billy Bush, he describes an event during which U.S. Olympic swimmers Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger, Jimmy Feigen and himself were robbed at gunpoint by someone with a “police badge.”
“We got pulled over in the taxi,” he told NBC News. “And these guys came out with a badge, a police badge, no lights, no nothing just a police badge, and they pulled us over. They pulled out their guns, they told the other swimmers to get down on the ground — they got down on the ground. I refused, I was like we didn’t do anything wrong, so — I’m not getting down on the ground.”
Lochte told Bush that the robber “took our money, he took my wallet. He left my cell phone, he left my credentials.”
Sunday early afternoon, August 14. USOC releases a statement
Almost in unison, U.S. Olympic Committee spokesperson Patrick Sandusky issued his own statement that said four Olympic swimmers (Bentz, Conger, Feigen and Lochte) left France House early Sunday morning and headed for the Olympic Village.
“According to four members of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team … their taxi was stopped by individuals posing as armed police officers who demanded the athletes’ money and other personal belongings. All four athletes are safe and cooperating with authorities.”
Tuesday, August 16. Lochte heads back to the United States
According to a Snapchat that Lochte posted on his account, the 12-time Olympic medalist arrived back on U.S. soil on Tuesday, cutting his trip to Rio short before the closing ceremonies. On Tuesday, Lochte also told USA Today Sports that he and the three other swimmers did not initially tell the USOC details of the robbery “because we were afraid we’d get in trouble.” That possibly explains why the IOC and USOC offered conflicting stories on Sunday.
Tuesday night, August 16. Rio Police cannot find evidence of armed robbery
According to the Associated Press, the ongoing police investigation had found little evidence that Lochte and Co. were actually robbed at gunpoint. The swimmers were not able to provide key details during police interviews.
Wednesday morning, August 17. Passports of Lochte and Feigen are ordered to be seized
Because local authorities needed to further investigate the swimmers’ claims, a Brazilian judge ordered the passports of Lochte and Feigen be seized. According to a statement made by the USOC, local police arrived at the Olympic Village on Wednesday morning with the intent of removing the passports of the two swimmers to secure additional testimony. Lochte was already back in the United States.
“The swim team moved out of the village after their competition ended, so we were not able to make the athletes available,” Sandusky said. “Additionally, as part of our standard security protocol, we do not make athlete travel plans public and therefore cannot confirm the athletes’ current location.”
Wednesday evening, August 17. Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz are detained at the airport
Both Conger and Bentz are detained by police in the Rio airport as they attempted to board their flight home. According to the AP, the two were barred from leaving until they gave a full testimony.
BREAKING: Attorney says American swimmers pulled off US-bound plane will not be allowed to leave Brazil until they testify about robbery.
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 18, 2016
It was later that evening that Lochte spoke to NBC’s Matt Lauer. His story changes. During his initial description of Sunday’s events, Lochte recalled that a gun was pressed to his head. When speaking with Lauer, he says that the robbers only aimed the gun toward them.
BREAKING NEWS: @MLauer reports after speaking with Ryan Lochte directly: https://t.co/YQHTMLeQfi https://t.co/Y6mWRIuwte
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 18, 2016
Thursday morning, August 18. Video footage surfaces of swimmers vandalizing gas station
Pieces of the story begin to unravel. Brazilian sources told ABC that a “U.S. swimmer” fought with a security guard and broke down a bathroom door at a gas station in a suburban neighborhood of Rio, called Barra da Tijuca, the night of the apparent robbery. Authorities told ABC that they have it on video.
Later that day, Brazilian publication O Globo releases the video.
Thursday afternoon, August 18. Police say that Lochte and swimmers were not robbed
In an even stranger turn of events, local authorities said in an afternoon news conference that after a night of partying, the Olympic swimmers were not robbed.
“No robbery was committed against these athletes. They were not victims of the crimes they claimed,” said Civil Police Chief Fernando Veloso. He also said that one or more of the swimmers vandalized the gas station Sunday morning, and while being detained by security awaiting police, paid money to settle the matter. An anonymous police officer did tell the AP, however, that two guards pointed their weapons in the direction of the swimmers following the vandalization of the gas station, which confirms Lochte’s revised story.
Thursday evening, August 18. Conger and Bentz apparently say robbery story was fabricated
Veloso said that two swimmers (possibly Bentz and Conger) confirmed the account, giving testimony late Thursday that the story of the robbery had been fabricated.
Thursday evening, August 18. Authorities recommend Lochte and Feigen be indicted
According to ABC News, the Federal Police of Brazil have recommended that U.S. Olympians Lochte and Feigen face charges of false reporting of a crime. The indictment is just the latest in what is a bizarre story paralleling the Olympic games in Rio. The two could face legal repercussions, although that is still unsure.
View the original at Parade or follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Google+Update: Brazilian police recommend US swimmers Ryan Lochte and James Feigen be indicted for false reporting of crime https://t.co/SvNK2zT1aX
— ABC News (@ABC) August 18, 2016