Per NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/15/sports/olympics/ryan-lochte-and-three-teammates-robbed-at-gunpoint.html?_r=0 (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/15/sports/olympics/ryan-lochte-and-three-teammates-robbed-at-gunpoint.html?_r=0)
Ryan Lochte and Three Teammates Robbed at Gunpoint
(https://static01.nyt.com/images/2016/08/15/sports/15LOCHTE/15LOCHTE-master768.jpg)
RIO DE JANEIRO — Four American swimmers, including the six-time gold medalist Ryan Lochte, were held up at gunpoint early Sunday morning, according to the United States Olympic Committee.
The other United States swimmers robbed, according to a statement from the committee, were Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen.
"Their taxi was stopped by individuals posing as armed police officers who demanded the athletes' money and other personal belongings," a spokesman for the United States Olympic Committee said. "All four athletes are safe and cooperating with authorities."
Lochte told NBC News that one of the men put a cocked gun to his head.
"We got pulled over, in the taxi, and these guys came out with a badge, a police badge, no lights, no nothing just a police badge and they pulled us over," Lochte said. "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.
"And then the guy pulled out his gun, he cocked it, put it to my forehead and he said, "Get down," and I put my hands up, I was like 'whatever.' He took our money, he took my wallet — he left my cell phone, he left my credentials."
Violent crime was a top concern in the lead-up to the Rio Games, as Brazil's economic crisis deepened, pushing up unemployment and poverty rates.
The Rio state government deployed a security force of 85,000 for the Olympics. The streets surrounding the Olympic Park and athletes' village sometimes look like military compounds, with jeeps filled with armed soldiers.
Nonetheless, on the night of the opening ceremony, the chief of security was mugged at knife-point. Two coaches for Australia's rowing team were attacked and robbed in the Ipanema neighborhood. An Olympic security officer was killed in a dangerous neighborhood. Multiple bullets have landed in the equestrian venue, and a bus carrying members of the news media was attacked, its windows shattered.
The American swimmers robbed on Sunday were leaving a party at Club France, the French hospitality house established during the Rio Games in the upscale Lagoa neighborhood, the U.S. Olympics spokesman said.
"I think they're all shaken up," Ileana Lochte, the swimmer's mother, told USA Today. "They just took their wallets and basically that was it."
Bentz and Conger participated in the heats of the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, though not the final. Feigen did the same in the 4x100-meter relay.
Lochte won a gold medal in the 4x200-meter freestyle and finished fifth in the 200-meter individual medley, his only individual event. He had initially denied reports of the robbery through the Olympic Committee.
Conflicting accounts of the incident had swirled on Sunday morning, after a spokesman for the International Olympic Committee said reports of the incident were "absolutely not true," citing information that had been provided by the United States committee.
After Ms. Lochte's statements that her son had indeed been robbed, the International Olympic Committee spokesman said he had simply passed along information from the American Olympic officials. "They said they spoke to Lochte, and he said it wasn't true," the spokesman said. "I guess that may change."
Mr. Lochte's Twitter feed was silent on the matter; his last post was on Saturday, a picture of him with the snowboarder Shaun White. He did not respond to a request for comment on Sunday.
David Marsh, Mr. Lochte's coach, referred inquiries to the United States swimming federation, which did not immediately reply to request for comment.
The civil police in the state of Rio said that "investigations are underway about the robbery suffered by American Olympic swimmers."
Media: American swimmers got robbed.
USOC: No they didn't.
IOC: The USOC said it didn't happen
Media: We already talk to his mother and she confirmed it
USOC: We meant, yes it happened.
IOC: Ummm, we like peanut butter.
The American public: when is this crap over with? It's screwing with the regular TV programing.
Quote from: coredumped on August 14, 2016, 09:11:20 PM
The American public: when is this crap over with? It's screwing with the regular TV programing.
I don't think anyone is saying that. Nobody would be watching NBC at all otherwise.
Quote from: Kerry on August 14, 2016, 04:45:55 PM
Media: American swimmers got robbed.
USOC: No they didn't.
IOC: The USOC said it didn't happen
Media: We already talk to his mother and she confirmed it
USOC: We meant, yes it happened.
IOC: Ummm, we like peanut butter.
+1 Sir, the PB comment.. I lol'd
Quote from: Snufflee on August 15, 2016, 02:04:38 PM
Quote from: Kerry on August 14, 2016, 04:45:55 PM
Media: American swimmers got robbed.
USOC: No they didn't.
IOC: The USOC said it didn't happen
Media: We already talk to his mother and she confirmed it
USOC: We meant, yes it happened.
IOC: Ummm, we like peanut butter.
+1 Sir, the PB comment.. I lol'd
I don't get it :-[
Lochte got back to the US before the judge acted.
The last 2 got pulled off the plane in Rio yesterday and are cooperating.
Brazilian press is all over them for making it up (cant find cab driver, cant ID the police). Many locals think its bogus because the robbers didnt take any jewery, watches or other valuables.
However, 2 policemen did pull over a jujitsu athlete earlier in the week and hit him up for $800 out of an ATM before they let him go, so its not unheard of for local police to mug people under duress. No jewery taken here.
Lochte this morning said the gun wasnt at his head, but in his "general direction, but it was definitely cocked and ready".
They were also at a gas station taking a leak (since they drank heavily) and when they got in the cab is when the fake/not fake cops show up.
He admitted they were intoxicated when it happened so details were a little rough that morning. As to their "joking behavior" on the security cameras when reentering the olympic village at 630AM, he said the adrenalin was still flowing from the stickup when they got back.
One newspaper in Rio was reporting that the story is covering up some other nefarious (think red light district) activities that would be embarassing "to mummy" back in the states.
Most people who know Lochte say he doesnt have the mental make up to create up such a story.
Either way the Brazilian authorities are keeping the US representatives at arms length while they investigate it.
Wheels are coming off now. Now the other swimmers are claiming Lochte was the one who fabricated the story. Also surveillance video shows the swimmers vandalizing a gas station and fighting with a security guard.
Quote from: spuwho on August 18, 2016, 11:58:34 AM
Most people who know Lochte say he doesnt have the mental make up to create up such a story.
Yeah, sure.
Quote from: spuwho on August 18, 2016, 11:58:34 AM
One newspaper in Rio was reporting that the story is covering up some other nefarious (think red light district) activities that would be embarassing "to mummy" back in the states.
I'm guessing transsexual prostitutes are involved.
New report out of NBC that British Olympians were also held up in a different vehicle........ more at 6.
http://summergames.ap.org/article/2-lochte-teammates-robbery-probe-pulled-plane (http://summergames.ap.org/article/2-lochte-teammates-robbery-probe-pulled-plane)
QuoteThe official says that swimmers Conger and Bentz, who were pulled off a plane going back to the United States late Wednesday, told police that the robbery story had been fabricated.
"mental make up"
"Let's give these kids a break. Sometimes you take actions that you later regret," Mario Andrada, a spokesman for the Rio organizers said. "Lochte is one of the best swimmers of all-time. They had fun, they made a mistake, it's part of life, life goes on, let's go."
Kids? Lochte is 32 years old. And being the 'best <whatever> of all-time' means squat in this context.
Quote from: funwithteeth on August 18, 2016, 01:34:04 PM
http://summergames.ap.org/article/2-lochte-teammates-robbery-probe-pulled-plane (http://summergames.ap.org/article/2-lochte-teammates-robbery-probe-pulled-plane)
QuoteThe official says that swimmers Conger and Bentz, who were pulled off a plane going back to the United States late Wednesday, told police that the robbery story had been fabricated.
"mental make up"
When I read that, I couldnt tell if they meant he had the brain of a chimp or it was that he was too nice a guy to make up stuff like that.
What ever happens, its a lot kerfuffle over national pride, Brazil's, not ours.
Maybe they will dig up John McCain's one night stand again.
Quote from: spuwho on August 18, 2016, 02:57:14 PM
When I read that, I couldnt tell if they meant he had the brain of a chimp or it was that he was too nice a guy to make up stuff like that.
If his "reality" show is any indication. I'd go with "brain of a chimp".
Quote from: spuwho on August 18, 2016, 02:57:14 PM
Quote from: funwithteeth on August 18, 2016, 01:34:04 PM
http://summergames.ap.org/article/2-lochte-teammates-robbery-probe-pulled-plane (http://summergames.ap.org/article/2-lochte-teammates-robbery-probe-pulled-plane)
QuoteThe official says that swimmers Conger and Bentz, who were pulled off a plane going back to the United States late Wednesday, told police that the robbery story had been fabricated.
"mental make up"
When I read that, I couldnt tell if they meant he had the brain of a chimp or it was that he was too nice a guy to make up stuff like that.
What ever happens, its a lot kerfuffle over national pride, Brazil's, not ours.
Maybe they will dig up John McCain's one night stand again.
Actually, making false allegations of a crime is a crime in Brazil. Not sure if it is in the US. Plus, smearing a country whose guest you are is more than poor style.
If this had happened the other way around (e.g Brazilian athletes claiming to have been assaulted by US police because they were black) and made international headlines, would you have dismissed this so easily ?
Quote from: Gunnar on August 18, 2016, 04:50:50 PM
Quote from: spuwho on August 18, 2016, 02:57:14 PM
Quote from: funwithteeth on August 18, 2016, 01:34:04 PM
http://summergames.ap.org/article/2-lochte-teammates-robbery-probe-pulled-plane (http://summergames.ap.org/article/2-lochte-teammates-robbery-probe-pulled-plane)
QuoteThe official says that swimmers Conger and Bentz, who were pulled off a plane going back to the United States late Wednesday, told police that the robbery story had been fabricated.
"mental make up"
When I read that, I couldnt tell if they meant he had the brain of a chimp or it was that he was too nice a guy to make up stuff like that.
What ever happens, its a lot kerfuffle over national pride, Brazil's, not ours.
Maybe they will dig up John McCain's one night stand again.
Actually, making false allegations of a crime is a crime in Brazil. Not sure if it is in the US. Plus, smearing a country whose guest you are is more than poor style.
If this had happened the other way around (e.g Brazilian athletes claiming to have been assaulted by US police because they were black) and made international headlines, would you have dismissed this so easily ?
Its clear something happened.
Lochte has lawyered up and not making any more statements.
Its possible they got pinched with their pants off and very drunk at the "French Reception House" and the robbery was a cover story for their missing dough.
I agree, smearing your host (if true) is poor form.
Dismissed a Brazilian accusation that police harassed them regardless of color? At the LA Games in 1984, yes. Today? No way, the way things are today, I would have expected it.
Remember that Rio beat Chicago for this years Olympics. This year is a record for homicides in Chicago. Do you think anyone would have mentioned it had the games been in Chicago?
Indictments!
http://www.espn.com/olympics/swimming/story/_/id/17340868/2016-rio-olympics-us-swimmers-ryan-lochte-jimmy-feigen-indicted-giving-false-reporting (http://www.espn.com/olympics/swimming/story/_/id/17340868/2016-rio-olympics-us-swimmers-ryan-lochte-jimmy-feigen-indicted-giving-false-reporting)
Quote from: funwithteeth on August 18, 2016, 06:20:21 PM
Indictments!
http://www.espn.com/olympics/swimming/story/_/id/17340868/2016-rio-olympics-us-swimmers-ryan-lochte-jimmy-feigen-indicted-giving-false-reporting (http://www.espn.com/olympics/swimming/story/_/id/17340868/2016-rio-olympics-us-swimmers-ryan-lochte-jimmy-feigen-indicted-giving-false-reporting)
Ok, so now the next question. Why would you trash the head at a run down gas station?
Alcohol + plus coming from a privileged background where you've probably gotten away with criminal mischief before.
Quote from: funwithteeth on August 18, 2016, 06:35:41 PM
Alcohol + plus coming from a privileged background where you've probably gotten away with criminal mischief before.
That is my guess as well. Time to man-up, admit your mistake, apologize to the people of Brazil, offer to do some community service, pay whatever fine gets handed down, and then move on with your life. Oh, and you should probably quit drinking.
Ryan Lochte represents a special category of obnoxious American 'bro'
Ryan Lochte is the dumbest bell that ever rang. The 32-year-old swimmer is so landlocked in juvenility that he pulled an all-nighter with guys young enough to call him uncle. His story to NBC's Billy "what-are-you-wearing" Bush had the quality of a kid exaggerating the size of a fish, and notice how he was the hero of every detail. That was always the most dubious, implausible part.
There is a special category of obnoxious American "bro" that Lochte represents, in his T-shirt and jeans and expensive suede footwear, which he showed off on social media that night at the party along with the price tag. "We're 6k deep here," he captioned it. Is there anything worse, in any country, than a bunch of entitled young drunks who break the furniture and pee on a wall? There is no translator needed for that one, no cultural norm that excuses it. If I had been working at that Brazilian gas station, I might have pulled a gun on them, too.
Jack Conger is 21. Gunnar Bentz is 20. James Feigen is 26. What a leader of young men Lochte is. You can see the bathroom door appear to burst out of its wooden frame on the security video, presumably when one of those oafs couldn't open it and decided to kick it.
Look, having a gun drawn on you in the small hours was no doubt unnerving and an overreaction by the security guard. It's even remotely possible that Lochte really did interpret the demand for cash as a "robbery" of sorts. But to do so, he had to be so impervious to his own odious punk behavior — and his view of that gas station had to be so low — that he didn't think the vandalizing was worth anything. He must have thought Ryan Lochte's pee was gold dust.
Inherent in all of Lochte's statements in this controversy is a lack of respect. You suspect that is what drew such ire from Brazilian authorities, who made a massive public display out of jerking Conger and Bentz off a plane and detaining them for questioning and recommended charges against Lochte and Feigen. Lochte has played a trivial, frivolous game with the issue of Brazilian police ineffectualness and corruption. Two things are going on here: Lochte's self-promoting prevarications and the sensitivity of Rio authorities, who have been portrayed as incapable of keeping athletes safe amid other Olympic breakdowns.
There have been a lot of genuine robberies of Olympic athletes and officials. A New Zealand athlete was kidnapped by fake police and driven to ATMs. Two Australian coaches were robbed at knifepoint on Ipanema Beach. After one of their athletes was robbed at gunpoint Tuesday morning, British track and field officials warned athletes that it is not worth the risk of going out, "given the current climate in Rio."
The police need to show that fears are overstated and these Games are secure — though they are not, particularly — and the stupid Americans offered them something with which to save face. Fernando Veloso, the Civil Police chief, said that Lochte had "stained" the city by inventing a crime that didn't happen.
Lochte's conceit intersected with a delicate political issue, and it made a perfect storm. His claim to NBC that men posing as police pulled over the taxi and he heroically resisted the robbers with a gun pressed to his forehead was an especially ludicrous detail — and the very thing that drew the attention of authorities, who know full well that anyone who defies a bandit in Rio gets shot on the spot, and they don't leave you with your cellphone.
Equal to his disrespect of the gas station owner and the police is Lochte's disrespect to his fellow swimmers. First he portrayed his U.S. teammates as dropping to the ground while "I refused," as if he alone had the temerity to remain standing. Yeah, right. This is a guy who apparently lied to his own mother. Then he flew home, leaving the younger swimmers to deal with the fallout. And when back in the United States, he made moronic postings on social media, deaf to the tension they were undergoing while detained in Rio, their passports seized.
The main quality Lochte has shown in all of this, apart from asininity, is obliviousness. First he tweeted about his hair, which he had dyed blue before the Games. Then on Thursday morning, even as Conger and Bentz were in a police station and authorities were mulling potential charges, he posted an idiotic video of himself. It was a distortion-lensed, cartoonish video of him babbling at his friend and fellow American swimmer Elizabeth Beisel. Lochte eventually deleted it. Which was too bad because it was a perfect portrait of a halfwit.
Lochte's done as a public figure, of course. Which is probably the most effective form of justice for someone who apparently so craves attention. Oblivion is what he deserves.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/ryan-lochte-a-champion-swimmer-caught-in-a-riptide-of-self-absorption/2016/08/18/673d9bdc-6540-11e6-96c0-37533479f3f5_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_jenkins-855pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory
This BBC Article like the WaPo article really brings Mr. Lochte's antics and stupidity to light.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37129448
Lochte just formally apologized publicly right after the 2 remaining swimmers arrived in Miami.
But those 2 had to be escorted through the Rio airport by security due to the raucous jeering from the crowds.
Feigen had to pay $11k to a local charity.
"There is a special category of obnoxious American "bro" that Lochte represents"
I felt the same way a few years ago when two members of the Harlem Globetrotters urinated on the Austria National Library while participating in The Amazing Race because the "couldn't hold it any longer", when they could have just gone inside and used the men's room. I was embarrassed for America with that one.
Yes, no one from the Washington Generals would ever have behaved in such a fashion.
Quote from: funwithteeth on August 19, 2016, 01:50:46 PM
Yes, no one from the Washington Generals would ever have behaved in such a fashion.
LOL.
Interesting. Apparently, the fact that this story ever broke in the first place is pretty much down to chance. I guess it shows why you shouldn't lie to your mother!
https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/rio-olympics-2016-ryan-lochtes-174223380.html
QuoteThe whole thing has been bizarre, but the discovery of his story is almost equally as unbelievable. Ben Way, the reporter who initially discovered and broke Lochte's story, did so completely on accident, only after a chance encounter with Lochte's mother, Ileana.
Speedo terminates sponsorship with Ryan Lochte
Swimsuit and apparel manufacturer Speedo, the leading brand in the industry in America, has terminated its sponsorship of Ryan Lochte.
Speedo sent out a statement Monday morning announcing that it has parted ways with Lochte. The one-paragraph statement, in its entirety:
"Speedo USA today announces the decision to end its sponsorship of Ryan Lochte. As part of this decision, Speedo USA will donate a $50,000 portion of Lochte's fee to Save The Children, a global charity partner of Speedo USA's parent company, for children in Brazil. While we have enjoyed a winning relationship with Ryan for over a decade and he has been an important member of the Speedo team, we cannot condone behavior that is counter to the values this brand has long stood for. We appreciate his many achievements and hope he moves forward and learns from this experience"
(https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/ev1r_WhsR0DFY8leMz2Npg--/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD00NDI7dz02NDA7c209MTthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/79428b0d8f1632f47d7791f4f47f7d7d)
Losing Speedo as a sponsor is a significant blow for Ryan Lochte. (AP)
This is the first known business repercussion for Lochte after his involvement in the widely publicized incident in Rio de Janeiro the night after the swimming portion of the Olympic Games ended.
Lochte claimed he was robbed by a fake policeman who held a gun to his head, sparking an international firestorm, but later admitted to an "over-exaggeration" of events that occurred in the company of fellow American swimmers Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen. Lochte and Feigen were charged with filing a false report with police; Bentz and Conger were detained for 24 hours as witnesses; and the U.S. Olympic Committee ultimately issued an apology for the affair, which overshadowed much of the second week of the Olympics.
Losing Speedo as a sponsor is a significant blow for Lochte. Swimming apparel manufacturers are a major element of the sponsorship money available to professional swimmers, who can otherwise struggle to find enough endorsement revenue to make swimming a full-time job.
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/speedo-terminates-sponsorship-with-ryan-lochte-161903695.html
Quote from: finehoe on August 22, 2016, 01:15:36 PM
Speedo terminates sponsorship with Ryan Lochte
Swimsuit and apparel manufacturer Speedo, the leading brand in the industry in America, has terminated its sponsorship of Ryan Lochte.
Speedo sent out a statement Monday morning announcing that it has parted ways with Lochte. The one-paragraph statement, in its entirety:
"Speedo USA today announces the decision to end its sponsorship of Ryan Lochte. As part of this decision, Speedo USA will donate a $50,000 portion of Lochte's fee to Save The Children, a global charity partner of Speedo USA's parent company, for children in Brazil. While we have enjoyed a winning relationship with Ryan for over a decade and he has been an important member of the Speedo team, we cannot condone behavior that is counter to the values this brand has long stood for. We appreciate his many achievements and hope he moves forward and learns from this experience"
(https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/ev1r_WhsR0DFY8leMz2Npg--/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD00NDI7dz02NDA7c209MTthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/79428b0d8f1632f47d7791f4f47f7d7d)
Losing Speedo as a sponsor is a significant blow for Ryan Lochte. (AP)
This is the first known business repercussion for Lochte after his involvement in the widely publicized incident in Rio de Janeiro the night after the swimming portion of the Olympic Games ended.
Lochte claimed he was robbed by a fake policeman who held a gun to his head, sparking an international firestorm, but later admitted to an "over-exaggeration" of events that occurred in the company of fellow American swimmers Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen. Lochte and Feigen were charged with filing a false report with police; Bentz and Conger were detained for 24 hours as witnesses; and the U.S. Olympic Committee ultimately issued an apology for the affair, which overshadowed much of the second week of the Olympics.
Losing Speedo as a sponsor is a significant blow for Lochte. Swimming apparel manufacturers are a major element of the sponsorship money available to professional swimmers, who can otherwise struggle to find enough endorsement revenue to make swimming a full-time job.
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/speedo-terminates-sponsorship-with-ryan-lochte-161903695.html
In other words, if he wants to compete in another Olympics (like he said last week), he will have to find his own way.
I am guessing he will take the Speedo announcement as some kind of personal dare and will still want to try to compete in 4 years.
Not impossible, but he will need a benefactor to help cover his training expenses. I wonder how mom feels about that now?
Phelps fell down after one of his Olympics and lost endorsements and still came back, so its certainly possible for Lochte.
Quote from: spuwho on August 22, 2016, 07:36:39 PM
Quote from: finehoe on August 22, 2016, 01:15:36 PM
Speedo terminates sponsorship with Ryan Lochte
Swimsuit and apparel manufacturer Speedo, the leading brand in the industry in America, has terminated its sponsorship of Ryan Lochte.
Speedo sent out a statement Monday morning announcing that it has parted ways with Lochte. The one-paragraph statement, in its entirety:
"Speedo USA today announces the decision to end its sponsorship of Ryan Lochte. As part of this decision, Speedo USA will donate a $50,000 portion of Lochte's fee to Save The Children, a global charity partner of Speedo USA's parent company, for children in Brazil. While we have enjoyed a winning relationship with Ryan for over a decade and he has been an important member of the Speedo team, we cannot condone behavior that is counter to the values this brand has long stood for. We appreciate his many achievements and hope he moves forward and learns from this experience"
(https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/ev1r_WhsR0DFY8leMz2Npg--/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD00NDI7dz02NDA7c209MTthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/79428b0d8f1632f47d7791f4f47f7d7d)
Losing Speedo as a sponsor is a significant blow for Ryan Lochte. (AP)
This is the first known business repercussion for Lochte after his involvement in the widely publicized incident in Rio de Janeiro the night after the swimming portion of the Olympic Games ended.
Lochte claimed he was robbed by a fake policeman who held a gun to his head, sparking an international firestorm, but later admitted to an "over-exaggeration" of events that occurred in the company of fellow American swimmers Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen. Lochte and Feigen were charged with filing a false report with police; Bentz and Conger were detained for 24 hours as witnesses; and the U.S. Olympic Committee ultimately issued an apology for the affair, which overshadowed much of the second week of the Olympics.
Losing Speedo as a sponsor is a significant blow for Lochte. Swimming apparel manufacturers are a major element of the sponsorship money available to professional swimmers, who can otherwise struggle to find enough endorsement revenue to make swimming a full-time job.
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/speedo-terminates-sponsorship-with-ryan-lochte-161903695.html
In other words, if he wants to compete in another Olympics (like he said last week), he will have to find his own way.
I am guessing he will take the Speedo announcement as some kind of personal dare and will still want to try to compete in 4 years.
Not impossible, but he will need a benefactor to help cover his training expenses. I wonder how mom feels about that now?
Phelps fell down after one of his Olympics and lost endorsements and still came back, so its certainly possible for Lochte.
He's too old. He's 32 now. No way a 36 year old is qualifying for the next Olympics.
This may also be important for how he will earn his living in the post competition phase. Endorsements could have continued even if he no longer competed.
Ryan Lochte loses all four commercial sponsors after Rio Olympics incident
U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte's four commercial sponsors dropped the 12-time Olympic medal winner Monday in response to the incident eight days ago in which he falsely claimed he and three teammates had been held up by armed robbers at a Rio de Janeiro gas station.
The decisions by Speedo, Ralph Lauren, Airweave and Gentle Hair Removal came after Lochte admitted to "over-exaggerating" the armed-robbery claim, an assertion that overshadowed much of the second week of the Summer Olympics that concluded Sunday.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/08/22/speedo-drops-ryan-lochte-after-rio-olympics-incident/
Quote from: Adam White on August 23, 2016, 01:49:34 AM
Quote from: spuwho on August 22, 2016, 07:36:39 PM
Quote from: finehoe on August 22, 2016, 01:15:36 PM
Speedo terminates sponsorship with Ryan Lochte
Swimsuit and apparel manufacturer Speedo, the leading brand in the industry in America, has terminated its sponsorship of Ryan Lochte.
Speedo sent out a statement Monday morning announcing that it has parted ways with Lochte. The one-paragraph statement, in its entirety:
"Speedo USA today announces the decision to end its sponsorship of Ryan Lochte. As part of this decision, Speedo USA will donate a $50,000 portion of Lochte's fee to Save The Children, a global charity partner of Speedo USA's parent company, for children in Brazil. While we have enjoyed a winning relationship with Ryan for over a decade and he has been an important member of the Speedo team, we cannot condone behavior that is counter to the values this brand has long stood for. We appreciate his many achievements and hope he moves forward and learns from this experience"
(https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/ev1r_WhsR0DFY8leMz2Npg--/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD00NDI7dz02NDA7c209MTthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/79428b0d8f1632f47d7791f4f47f7d7d)
Losing Speedo as a sponsor is a significant blow for Ryan Lochte. (AP)
This is the first known business repercussion for Lochte after his involvement in the widely publicized incident in Rio de Janeiro the night after the swimming portion of the Olympic Games ended.
Lochte claimed he was robbed by a fake policeman who held a gun to his head, sparking an international firestorm, but later admitted to an "over-exaggeration" of events that occurred in the company of fellow American swimmers Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen. Lochte and Feigen were charged with filing a false report with police; Bentz and Conger were detained for 24 hours as witnesses; and the U.S. Olympic Committee ultimately issued an apology for the affair, which overshadowed much of the second week of the Olympics.
Losing Speedo as a sponsor is a significant blow for Lochte. Swimming apparel manufacturers are a major element of the sponsorship money available to professional swimmers, who can otherwise struggle to find enough endorsement revenue to make swimming a full-time job.
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/speedo-terminates-sponsorship-with-ryan-lochte-161903695.html
In other words, if he wants to compete in another Olympics (like he said last week), he will have to find his own way.
I am guessing he will take the Speedo announcement as some kind of personal dare and will still want to try to compete in 4 years.
Not impossible, but he will need a benefactor to help cover his training expenses. I wonder how mom feels about that now?
Phelps fell down after one of his Olympics and lost endorsements and still came back, so its certainly possible for Lochte.
He's too old. He's 32 now. No way a 36 year old is qualifying for the next Olympics.
Per Wikipedia:
At age 41, Spitz attempted a comeback for the 1992 Summer Olympics after film maker Bud Greenspan offered him a million dollars if he succeeded in qualifying. Filmed by Greenspan's cameras, Spitz did not beat the qualifying limit, despite his times being nearly as good as (and in some cases better than) his medal-winning times 20 years earlier. He was two seconds slower than the requisite qualifying time at the Olympic trials. Dara Torres made her successful Olympic comeback for the 2008 Summer Games, at the same age as Spitz.
On August 1, 2007, at age 40 and just 16 months after giving birth to her first child, Torres won the 100-meter freestyle at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. On August 4, she set a new American record in the 50-meter freestyle of 24.53 seconds, breaking her own record of 24.63 seconds set at the 2000 Summer Olympics. She lowered her initial American record by 1.62 seconds. Torres has broken or lowered her own American record in the 50-meter freestyle ten times, which is the most by any American swimmer in any event.
At the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, Torres returned to the pool and qualified for a spot in her fifth Olympic Games at the age of 41, a first for an American female swimmer. She became the oldest U.S. Olympic swimmer in history and the first American swimmer to appear in five Olympic Games.
Then there is the famed discus thrower Al Oerter:
Oerter did make an attempt to qualify for the American team in 1980 but he finished fourth. He nonetheless set his overall personal record of 69.46 metres (227.9 ft) that year at the age of 43. When filming for a TV segment, he unofficially threw about 245 feet (75 m), which would have set a still-standing world record. In later years, Oerter carried the Olympic flag for the 1984 Summer Olympics, then carried Olympic flame into the stadium for the 1996 Olympic Games.
Quote from: spuwho on August 23, 2016, 11:08:15 AM
Quote from: Adam White on August 23, 2016, 01:49:34 AM
Quote from: spuwho on August 22, 2016, 07:36:39 PM
Quote from: finehoe on August 22, 2016, 01:15:36 PM
Speedo terminates sponsorship with Ryan Lochte
Swimsuit and apparel manufacturer Speedo, the leading brand in the industry in America, has terminated its sponsorship of Ryan Lochte.
Speedo sent out a statement Monday morning announcing that it has parted ways with Lochte. The one-paragraph statement, in its entirety:
"Speedo USA today announces the decision to end its sponsorship of Ryan Lochte. As part of this decision, Speedo USA will donate a $50,000 portion of Lochte's fee to Save The Children, a global charity partner of Speedo USA's parent company, for children in Brazil. While we have enjoyed a winning relationship with Ryan for over a decade and he has been an important member of the Speedo team, we cannot condone behavior that is counter to the values this brand has long stood for. We appreciate his many achievements and hope he moves forward and learns from this experience"
(https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/ev1r_WhsR0DFY8leMz2Npg--/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD00NDI7dz02NDA7c209MTthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/79428b0d8f1632f47d7791f4f47f7d7d)
Losing Speedo as a sponsor is a significant blow for Ryan Lochte. (AP)
This is the first known business repercussion for Lochte after his involvement in the widely publicized incident in Rio de Janeiro the night after the swimming portion of the Olympic Games ended.
Lochte claimed he was robbed by a fake policeman who held a gun to his head, sparking an international firestorm, but later admitted to an "over-exaggeration" of events that occurred in the company of fellow American swimmers Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen. Lochte and Feigen were charged with filing a false report with police; Bentz and Conger were detained for 24 hours as witnesses; and the U.S. Olympic Committee ultimately issued an apology for the affair, which overshadowed much of the second week of the Olympics.
Losing Speedo as a sponsor is a significant blow for Lochte. Swimming apparel manufacturers are a major element of the sponsorship money available to professional swimmers, who can otherwise struggle to find enough endorsement revenue to make swimming a full-time job.
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/speedo-terminates-sponsorship-with-ryan-lochte-161903695.html
In other words, if he wants to compete in another Olympics (like he said last week), he will have to find his own way.
I am guessing he will take the Speedo announcement as some kind of personal dare and will still want to try to compete in 4 years.
Not impossible, but he will need a benefactor to help cover his training expenses. I wonder how mom feels about that now?
Phelps fell down after one of his Olympics and lost endorsements and still came back, so its certainly possible for Lochte.
He's too old. He's 32 now. No way a 36 year old is qualifying for the next Olympics.
Per Wikipedia:
At age 41, Spitz attempted a comeback for the 1992 Summer Olympics after film maker Bud Greenspan offered him a million dollars if he succeeded in qualifying. Filmed by Greenspan's cameras, Spitz did not beat the qualifying limit, despite his times being nearly as good as (and in some cases better than) his medal-winning times 20 years earlier. He was two seconds slower than the requisite qualifying time at the Olympic trials. Dara Torres made her successful Olympic comeback for the 2008 Summer Games, at the same age as Spitz.
On August 1, 2007, at age 40 and just 16 months after giving birth to her first child, Torres won the 100-meter freestyle at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. On August 4, she set a new American record in the 50-meter freestyle of 24.53 seconds, breaking her own record of 24.63 seconds set at the 2000 Summer Olympics. She lowered her initial American record by 1.62 seconds. Torres has broken or lowered her own American record in the 50-meter freestyle ten times, which is the most by any American swimmer in any event.
At the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, Torres returned to the pool and qualified for a spot in her fifth Olympic Games at the age of 41, a first for an American female swimmer. She became the oldest U.S. Olympic swimmer in history and the first American swimmer to appear in five Olympic Games.
Then there is the famed discus thrower Al Oerter:
Oerter did make an attempt to qualify for the American team in 1980 but he finished fourth. He nonetheless set his overall personal record of 69.46 metres (227.9 ft) that year at the age of 43. When filming for a TV segment, he unofficially threw about 245 feet (75 m), which would have set a still-standing world record. In later years, Oerter carried the Olympic flag for the 1984 Summer Olympics, then carried Olympic flame into the stadium for the 1996 Olympic Games.
Okay, my bad.
Let's revisit this in four years and see how he got on.
It's worth noting that he only managed a medal as part of a relay. He didn't fare so well in individual events in this Olympics (in fact, I only think he qualified for one). No way will be be strong enough to qualify next Olympics.
Quote from: Adam White on August 23, 2016, 12:47:11 PM
It's worth noting that he only managed a medal as part of a relay. He didn't fare so well in individual events in this Olympics (in fact, I only think he qualified for one). No way will be be strong enough to qualify next Olympics.
Be that as it may, he is the 2nd most decorated male swimmer in history (behind Mr. Phelps).
Rio police's account of Ryan Lochte incident may not be entirely accurate either, report says
The extent of the property damage Ryan Lochte and three of his fellow U.S. Olympic swimmers caused to a gas station eight days ago might have been exaggerated by Rio de Janeiro police, according to a report by USA Today.
At a news conference Thursday, Fernando Veloso, the head of Rio de Janeiro's civil police, said the Americans had broken a soap dispenser and mirror inside the restroom. Other reports have said the four also broke a bathroom door.
But one of the U.S. swimmers, Gunnar Bentz, said in a statement Friday that he didn't see anyone vandalize the bathroom and the only damage caused by the group occurred when Lochte pulled a "loosely attached" advertising sign from a wall.
In examining all available surveillance footage from that night, including one aimed at the restroom doors, USA Today found no evidence the swimmers ever went near the bathroom, after relieving themselves behind the gas station.
A USA Today videographer visited the gas station and found no damage to the soap dispensers, mirrors or door, and none of those items appeared to be new.
The swimmers were eventually held at gunpoint by security guards at the station and were released after paying the equivalent of $50.
Fernando Deluz, a bilingual Brazilian who served as a translator between the swimmers and the security guards, told USA his understanding was the money paid was to cover vandalized property and that the only property that came up during the negotiations was the advertising sign Lochte had pulled down.
Deluz also said that because of the language barrier, the Americans might have believed they were being robbed.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/la-sp-oly-rio-2016-report-rio-police-s-account-of-ryan-1471884289-htmlstory.html
Quote from: finehoe on August 23, 2016, 01:09:17 PM
Quote from: Adam White on August 23, 2016, 12:47:11 PM
It's worth noting that he only managed a medal as part of a relay. He didn't fare so well in individual events in this Olympics (in fact, I only think he qualified for one). No way will be be strong enough to qualify next Olympics.
Be that as it may, he is the 2nd most decorated male swimmer in history (behind Mr. Phelps).
Okay. But that has absolutely nothing to do with my point.
Quote from: finehoe on August 23, 2016, 01:12:00 PM
Rio police's account of Ryan Lochte incident may not be entirely accurate either, report says
The extent of the property damage Ryan Lochte and three of his fellow U.S. Olympic swimmers caused to a gas station eight days ago might have been exaggerated by Rio de Janeiro police, according to a report by USA Today.
At a news conference Thursday, Fernando Veloso, the head of Rio de Janeiro's civil police, said the Americans had broken a soap dispenser and mirror inside the restroom. Other reports have said the four also broke a bathroom door.
But one of the U.S. swimmers, Gunnar Bentz, said in a statement Friday that he didn't see anyone vandalize the bathroom and the only damage caused by the group occurred when Lochte pulled a "loosely attached" advertising sign from a wall.
In examining all available surveillance footage from that night, including one aimed at the restroom doors, USA Today found no evidence the swimmers ever went near the bathroom, after relieving themselves behind the gas station.
A USA Today videographer visited the gas station and found no damage to the soap dispensers, mirrors or door, and none of those items appeared to be new.
The swimmers were eventually held at gunpoint by security guards at the station and were released after paying the equivalent of $50.
Fernando Deluz, a bilingual Brazilian who served as a translator between the swimmers and the security guards, told USA his understanding was the money paid was to cover vandalized property and that the only property that came up during the negotiations was the advertising sign Lochte had pulled down.
Deluz also said that because of the language barrier, the Americans might have believed they were being robbed.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/la-sp-oly-rio-2016-report-rio-police-s-account-of-ryan-1471884289-htmlstory.html
Bentz also reported that the security video given to the Brazilian press had been edited and was missing key parts when security confronted them.
Either way, the whole thing is a worn rug now.
I think its time to move on,
Jeah!