New Ryan Lochte Doc Paints Sympathetic Picture, But Raises Deeper Questions

I’ve found myself rooting for Ryan Lochte since his return to the national stage in summer 2019. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about why that’s the case — he has repeatedly brought negative attention to the sport and to himself for making undeniably poor choices, and yet, I’m always drawn back by his “party boy-turned-family man” narrative.

His latest foray to the small screen, “In Deep with Ryan Lochte” – while entertaining – did little to quell that confusion.

The 69-minute film is a well-executed attempt by NBC to paint Lochte as a sympathetic figure. I teared up at times, laughed at others, oohed and awed over his kids, and found his work ethic admirable. On a surface level, content-hungry swim fans will enjoy the insider look at one of the sport’s biggest stars.

  • “In Deep with Ryan Lochte” is available for free on Peacock, the new streaming service from NBCUniversal.

But I also was appalled at footage surrounding the infamous Rio incident – much of which I hadn’t seen before – which dragged an entire nation through the mud before Lochte’s story was revealed as fraudulent. And then I sympathized when Lochte discusses how the ordeal affected him, financially and emotionally. And then I rolled my eyes again at his IV fluids suspension, but I felt for him as he changed his son’s diaper in the middle of a gym. You get the point.

Then I considered: in this day and age, why are we so quick to forgive Lochte? And I don’t have an answer.

We give Lochte the benefit of the doubt that he is a “good guy” at heart, while minorities around the United States can only dream of being afforded the same. Innocent Black people are being shot dead in their homes while Lochte is on a redemption tour. Even in swimming, for that matter, Sun Yang has been cast aside as a villain for not-dissimilar behavior — he’s just “othered” by a Western audience.

Maybe it’s because Lochte’s long been a flashy, charismatic figure in a sport that doesn’t have an excess of them, and that’s exciting. Or maybe it’s because his raw talent, removed from his antics, was (and maybe is?) practically unmatched. “In Deep” doesn’t really answer the question.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t watch the documentary – you absolutely should – and I’m not saying you can’t root for Lochte. But we owe it to the current national moment to watch it with a skeptical eye.

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Swimfast44
4 years ago

Hold on a sec…. did you just compare the repercussions of a Vitamin IV Drip and Steroids….. and don’t give me the “he never was proven guilty” BS. He was banned for 3 months by China back in 2014 for a banned substance. Then when tested by WADA, he had one of his guys smash the sample with a hammer…. if you are looking to make an argument on the views of America’s bias against other ethnicities/cultures, I suggest not using Yang as an example. Guy is clearly hiding something and I’m sorry you can’t see that.

Julian
4 years ago

A swimmer with White privilege? Who would have thought the whitest sport in the world would have a bunch of privileged white people in it. I mean it’s not like Phelps is down to earth lol. If you wanna be a social justice warrior then swimming probably isn’t your culture.

THEO
4 years ago

I thought Michael Schwartz’s comment on this thread summed it up very well: it’s fair to look at Lochte’s case and ask why other people get different treatment, BUT the lesson should probably be more about being more forgiving in general, not to be less forgiving in Lochte’s case. I do think that race plays a role in how Lochte has been perceived, since the unfortunate reality of America is that race is woven into life. Simply put, if Lochte were black, I agree that backlash against his various gaffes could have been worse. You may disagree, and that’s fine. Ultimately that’s a nearly impossible thing to prove, but I think it’s a fair question to raise and I think… Read more »

Jason Zajonc
4 years ago

I am cheering for Lochte. Ups and downs in life…we all have them. Funny guy and amazing swimmer. He looks like he has changed the ways of old and is growing up. Awesome. If he makes the world better then great. Always politics in people’s minds these days…I get it.. bigger things in the world right now…but some positive stuff is what we need. I hope he makes it and is a leader at the games.

Corn Pop
4 years ago

I think we should build a 35′ ‘ statue of 2010 Ryan called Peak Fit . Next to.it a 50’ podium from where ppl could look down & Forgive . I am not encouraging ppl to climb the statue after seeing the German.guy splat . I’m for safely forgiving . Not sure why people think they can bestow it or why he needs it but I try to offer solutions to all world issues.

The Screaming Viking!
4 years ago
Sam young
4 years ago

Torrey is from Oakland. Over there a sentence like “Innocent Black people are being shot dead in their homes while… [fill in anything]” spoke ina tearfull, shaky voice is a necesisity in every story. They are indoctrinated at overpriced schools to make eveyrthing a social cause, no matter how absurd. When they watch a documentary about domestic plants, they also think about [whatever CNN is talking about at the time]. They just can’t help themselves. Too bad the editor lets this fly.

Also MD Also Swimdad
Reply to  Sam young
4 years ago

Sam, Sam, Sam,
I know you’re just mad because the good folks in Oakland rescinded their offer for you to be the grand marshal in their big parade after COVID struck. Keep reaching for that rainbow, big fella!

THEO
Reply to  Sam young
4 years ago

What an unfounded, mean-spirited, and unhelpful thing to say. You’re not engaging in any way with the question being asked, just attacking the author.

Also MD Also Swimdad
Reply to  THEO
4 years ago

Such condescending and insular commentary deserves mockery. If the author espoused the diametrically opposed viewpoint, was raised in OK and went to “overpriced” Oral Roberts Univ, I would be critical of her opinion as her own, not as a product of her home state and college. What a horrible insult and generalization to imply that she is incapable of thinking for herself. But you’re correct, it was unfounded, he’s never been invited to be a grand marshal of anything.

Roch
4 years ago

I can’t understand the outrage over the author bringing up race. The topic of racism is extremely relevant to this sport, so take a few seconds to engage the thought experiment. Don’t agree with the author’s take? That’s fine, engage constructively with the ideas. But to just whine that you want to stay in your white bubble… yeah that’s why we have a problem with racism in this sport. Do better.

That said, I don’t know that I agree that race is the reason Lochte keeps getting a pass. I think it is more part of our pattern of celebrity hero worship. He’s a star athlete and he earned the hardware, so we kept giving him another chance to redeem… Read more »

gatorforlife
Reply to  Roch
4 years ago

This is how the internet is won these days. It’s not enough to disagree, what’s important is WINNING, and a shortcut to winning (it isn’t really, but it feels good) is to attack the commentary’s author

It’s a stupid thing and I wish it would go away. But, I’m afraid it won’t.

THEO
Reply to  Roch
4 years ago

Best comment on the whole thread is sadly hidden all the way at the bottom here

About Torrey Hart

Torrey Hart

Torrey is from Oakland, CA, and majored in media studies and American studies at Claremont McKenna College, where she swam distance freestyle for the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps team. Outside of SwimSwam, she has bylines at Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, SB Nation, and The Student Life newspaper.

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