Ryan Lochte Apologizes for His 'Behavior' Following Rio Robbery Story
Celebrity

Lochte doesn't really admit to lying about being robbed at gunpoint during the Olympics, but the United States Olympic Committee does.

AceShowbiz - Ryan Lochte apologizes, or kind of, for his Rio robbery story. He claimed he was robbed at gunpoint in Rio during Olympic Games, but officials said it was not true and released security footage showing what happened. They said the swimmer and his U.S. teammates were confronted by armed security guards for drunkenly vandalizing a bathroom in a gas station.

Lochte said he was sorry for his "behavior" but didn't really admit to lying about the alleged robbery. "I want to apologize for my behavior last weekend - for not being more careful and candid in how I described the events of that early morning and for my role in taking the focus away from the many athletes fulfilling their dreams of participating in the Olympics," he said. "I waited to share these thoughts until it was confirmed that the legal situation was addressed and it was clear that my teammates would be arriving home safely."

"It's traumatic to be out late with your friends in a foreign country - with a language barrier - and have a stranger point a gun at you and demand money to let you leave, but regardless of the behavior of anyone else that night, I should have been much more responsible in how I handled myself and for that am sorry to my teammates, my fans, my fellow competitors, my sponsors, and the hosts of this great event," the athlete continued. "I am very proud to represent my country in Olympic competition and this was a situation that could and should have been avoided. I accept responsibility for my role in this happening and have learned some valuable lessons."

"I am grateful for my USA Swimming teammates and the USOC, and appreciate all of the efforts of the IOC, the Rio '16 Host Committee, and the people of Brazil who welcomed us to Rio and worked so hard to make sure that these Olympic Games provided a lifetime of great new memories. There has already been too much said and too many valuable resources dedicated to what happened last weekend, so I hope we spend our time celebrating the great stories and performances of these Games and look ahead to celebrating future successes."

A photo posted by Ryanlochte (@ryanlochte) on

While Lochte didn't really admit to fabricating his story, the United States Olympic Committee confirmed it was not a robbery. They said, "They stopped at a gas station to use the restroom, where one of the athletes committed an act of vandalism. An argument ensued between the athletes and two armed gas station security staff, who displayed their weapons, ordered the athletes from their vehicle and demanded the athletes provide a monetary payment. Once the security officials received money from the athletes, the athletes were allowed to leave."

Ryan Lochte was with fellow swimmers Jimmy Feigen, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger when the incident happened. While Lochte had been safely back in the States, Bentz and Conger were detained before boarding a flight out of town and Feigen was questioned in Rio. Feigen later got his passport back and was cleared to leave after reaching a deal to make a donation of nearly $11,000.

Lochte has since come under fire on social media. Celebrities like Rainn Wilson mocked him, "Confession: I robbed Ryan Lochte. I used my Lackawanna County Sheriff's badge a squirt gun & a bad Brazilian accent. Sorry." Joel McHale wrote, "Jeeeeeaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhoooooohhhhsh*t. #RyanLochte."

Mindy Kaling also commented on the Lochtegate, "I have a really good theory about those swimmers and I will be boring people at work today with it." Seth Meyers posted, "Starting to think @SethMacFarlane played Lochte too smart in 2012." Craig Ferguson said, "Remember kids. There's nothing wrong with being a good swimmer but it doesn't make you smart."

Chris Harrison joked, "How has NBC not already set up a prime time special with Brian Williams interviewing Ryan Lochte? That's great TV."

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