American swimmer Ryan Lochte will appear on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumble on Tuesday, August 20th. Lochte is fresh off his return from his latest suspension, for violations of anti-doping rules related to taking an IV of non-performance-enhancing drugs.
In a teaser clip posted by HBO on Saturday, Lochte talks about how many sponsors he lost after the Rio gas station incident, where he fabricated a story about being robbed at gun point after a night of partying. Lochte also opens up about the suicidal thoughts he had after that suspension, which he has spoken about before.
The 35-year old Lochte is a 12-time Olympic medalist, which ties him for the most Olympic swimming medals ever won by a single athlete, behind Michael Phelps. Lochte is also a 39-time World Champion, and he remains the World Record holder in the 200 IM in long course (1:54.00), and both the 200 IM (1:49.63) and 400 IM (3:55.50) in short course. He currently holds more individual World Records than Michael Phelps. Germany’s Paul Biedermann is the only other male with 3 individual World Records.
The episode will air at 11PM U.S. Eastern Time on Tuesday.
ON FRANKEL: You lost a bunch of sponsors after that.
RYAN LOCHTE: Yes. All of ’em.
JON FRANKEL: How much money did that cost you?
RYAN LOCHTE: Millions.
JON FRANKEL: And have any of those sponsors come back to you?
RYAN LOCHTE: No.
…..
RYAN LOCHTE: There was points where if I went to sleep and I never woke up again, I would be fine, because I wouldn’t be hurting people.
JON FRANKEL: You thought that if you just disappeared –
RYAN LOCHTE: If I just disappeared, it would be OK.
JON FRANKEL: And you don’t mean disappear, just simply walk away from swimming and go find some hideout on the prairie.
RYAN LOCHTE: Yes. Disappear like bye-bye.
He should just disappear. Total disgrace to the sport. Zero integrity
Super Jerk, why don’t you just go lull yourself. Stop talking and just do it. Stupid jerk.
Great swimmer, and exceptionally kind, fan-centered and most of the time self-possessed. At ’16 trials, Ryan, Townley Haas and one other swimmer were on the awards stand. Awards were handed out, along with small bouquets of flowers with the medals. During the ovation for the swimmers, Ryan motioned to Haas and the other swimmer to turn around to face the fans behind them AND throw their bouquets…Prior to that those fans went un-noticed. The swimmers then walk nearly the length of the pool to meet Brendan Hansen and Kaitlin Sandeno for interviews. Ryan stopped part way down the pool, after high-fiving and shaking hands with fans, and simply, on spur of the moment, handed his medal to a little boy.… Read more »
Interesting how the same author who wrote the recent article about how the NBC Olympics/Caeleb Dressel hype machine has begun, makes no mention here of the Ryan Lochte hype/redemption machine beginning.
As long as Lochtes racing I’m going to root for him. Hope he pops off next year and makes the Olympic team
He madest comeback already. He won US Nationals 200IM this year. Only question is: He compete 400IM?
In the aftermath of his Rio mistake, I wonder if he’d ever chatted with Phelps at all, who may have some insights to help him. That aside, in every interaction I’ve seen of him over the years, he’s been a very genuine and friendly guy. He made a mistake and unfortunately given his status, gets amplified and broadcasted to the world. I hope he can turn it into a story of redemption. I will certainly be cheering for him in 2020!
In an interview when lochte was asked if he had talked to Phelps about the trying situation, lochte said no he had not. I would imagine that Phelps did not want to go near the controversy, so he wouldn’t go down in flames with lochte. Would be nice if in this interview with lochte, that they asked him if he had talked with Phelps.
Always a Lochte fan. Just observing him from a distance at a meet or interacting, he always seemed like someone who didn’t judge another. Would talk to the 90 year old grandpa in the stands or an 8 year old boy yelling for his attention. Just an inclusive guy. My 2 cents – Nobody’s perfect and when you get to an age and have kids who may possibly make similar or other mistakes no matter how much you try to parent, you learn not to throw stones and wish others health and kindness.
Well said. Just watching him with kids shows you his heart. I’m really rooting for him in both swimming and life.
Ryan Lochte is quite simply one of the most charitable & spirited people in the sport. Anyone who doesn’t agree can keep on barking into the winds.