Olympic Swimmer Ryan Lochte Held Up at Gunpoint in Rio de Janeiro

Update: An IOC spokesperson says that the reports from Ben Way are “absolutely not true” according to the Associated Press, according to Lochte and the USOC. We have reached out to both sides for comment, but have been unable to reconcile the conflicting reports, despite multiple outlets having received the news from Lochte’s mother independently.

Update 2: Ben Way, who initially broke the news, is standing by what he was told by Lochte’s mom.

Update 3: Both Ryan Lochte and representatives of Thiago Pereira have confirmed the incident. Read more here.

Original report:

Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte was held up at gunpoint in the wee hours of the night in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil after the conclusion of the swimming events late Friday.

Lochte had been invited to a party by star Brazilian swimmer Thiago Pereira along with 3 teammates who have not yet been identified.

The 32-year old was safely returned to the USA Swimming camp after the ordeal, and called his mother Ileana immediately after being released. She called the ordeal “terrifying.”

Ben Way of Fox Sports in Australia broke the news within the last hour:

The four-time Olympian is the second most decorated swimmer in history behind Michael Phelps. He is the holder of 6 Olympic gold medals, including one from this year where he won gold as part of the Americans’ 800 free relay. He missed the podium in his other event, the 200 IM.

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chlorinehair
7 years ago

Was I the only one that thought there was a team of security around the US athletes? I was really surprised that they were alone, out late, without security considering all the delegations were warned of the security issues in Rio.
– mentioned at the end of the article; Ryan being the second most decorated swimmer in history? medal(s) total? Mark Spitz at the 1972 Olympics, set an Olympic record by winning seven gold medals, record only beaten by Michael Phelps.

Charles
Reply to  chlorinehair
7 years ago

Spitz medaled several times in Mexico City as well.

Joe \"Momma\" Besser
7 years ago

I’m glad to hear the athletes were not harmed, and I sincerely hope they stole Lochte’s grill before he takes another photo with it.

Confused swimmer
7 years ago

So what really happen in all of this? Did Ryan really have a gun cocked back on his forehead or was that a lie? I’m getting really confused with some reports saying that didn’t really happen

SCHUYLER
7 years ago

WHERE WILL THEY HOLD THE NEXT OLYMPICS; IRAQ? AFGHANISTAN? LIBERIA? THE IOC HAS NEVER BEEN KNOWN FOR THEIR INTELLIGENCE OR COMMON SENSE; PROBABLY THEY WILL SIMPLY PICK THE BIGGEST TROUBLESPOT IN THE WORLD. JERKS.

Yada
Reply to  SCHUYLER
7 years ago

Actually, it’ll be in Tokyo.

CROOKED HILLARY
Reply to  SCHUYLER
7 years ago

The way Barry is treating Iran this past year I would say they are in the running. The venues will run on nuclear power since that’s all the peaceful country wants that tech for.

AvidSwimFan
7 years ago

Lochte has confirmed to NBC. Seems it was Lochte, Figgen, Bentz, & Conger. They really shouldn’t be out and about that late at Night/ early morning in Brazil. Thankfully they are safe.

dave thewave
7 years ago

Ever notice a much movie actor Simon Rex and Ryan Lochte look alike? They could be twin brothers.

Yada
Reply to  dave thewave
7 years ago

Simon Rex AKA former adult film star AKA Dirt Nasty! His rapping is hilarious

E GAMBLE
7 years ago

Ryan, please wait until you get back in the states if you’re gonna get turnt. It ain’t safe at all.

Gator
7 years ago

Rest assured that because of Ryan’s notarity that Brazilian authorities will find and promptly execute anyone who might have perpetrated this

CROOKED HILLARY
Reply to  Gator
7 years ago

Is he well known in Brazil?

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Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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