Rio 2016: Ryan Lochte robbery lie condemned by US Olympics body as 'not acceptable'

Lochte told US media the quartet were victims of an armed robbery, but it has since been confirmed as a cover-up for an embarrassing petrol station clash with armed security guards

Ryan Lochte told US media that he and three teammates were the victims of an armed robbery (Getty)

The United States Olympic Committee [USOC] have condemned Ryan Lochte and his fellow swimmers after they fabricated an armed robbery story in an effort to cover up an embarrassing incident at a petrol station last weekend in Rio de Janeiro.

The 32-year-old claimed that he was the victim of an armed robbery along with US teammates Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and James Feigen, in which they had their wallets stolen after they were approached by muggers posing as police. However, it has since been confirmed that the 12-time Olympic medallist made up the story after Rio police spotted inconsistencies in the athletes’ statements.

X-ray scan machines at the Olympic Village revealed that the four athletes had their wallets on them when they returned to their accommodation, with CCTV capturing the four walking back into their hotel.

Civil police chief Fernando Veloso held a press conference on Thursday to confirm that the story was a lie in an effort to cover up an alcohol-fuelled incident at a petrol station, where a public toilet was vandalised by one of the four swimmers following as they made their way back to the Olympic Village from a party along with two other females.

The USOC has corroborated Veloso’s statement, and in one of their own, labelled the behaviour of Lochte, Bentz, Conger and Feigen as “not acceptable”.

"The behaviour of these athletes is not acceptable, nor does it represent the values of Team USA or the conduct of the vast majority of its members,” USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun said in a statement on Thursday night.

"We will further review the matter, and any potential consequences for the athletes, when we return to the United States.

"On behalf of the United States Olympic Committee, we apologise to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil for this distracting ordeal in the midst of what should rightly be a celebration of excellence."

Revelations of the fake robbery emerged last Sunday when Lochte’s mother, Ileana Lochte, claimed that her son had been the victim of an armed robbery in Rio following the completion of his races at the Olympic Games.

Lochte, Bentz, Conger and Feigen are captured by CCTV at the petrol station (AP)

Lochte and Feigen clash with one of the armed security guards (AP)

The IOC and the USOC initially claimed that her remarks were “untrue”, but two interviews given by Lochte appeared to confirm the story as he detailed the alleged taxi ambush, in which he claimed a gun was held to his head after he refused to get down on the ground.

But it soon transpired that the athletes were ordered to pay for the damage caused to the toilet and, when they refused, clashed with two armed security guards who ordered them from the taxis and demanded they pay the money.

"As we understand it, the four athletes (Bentz, Conger, Feigen and Ryan Lochte) left France House early in the morning of August 14 in a taxi headed to the Olympic Village,” Blackmun added. “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."

Gunner Bentz and Jack Conger leave a Rio police station after being questioned (Getty)

While Lochte has already returned to the US, both Bentz and Conger were questioned further by police on Thursday after being removed from an airplane on Wednesday. Feigen also provided a revised statement “with the hope of securing the release of his passport as soon as possible”.

Despite the embarrassing incident – which could still lead to criminal charges – the Rio 2016 organising committee appeared to brush over the cover-up, with spokesman Mario Andrada calling for the quartet to be given a “break”.

The Rio petrol station where the toilet was vandalised by one of the athletes (Getty)

"We need to understand that these kids were trying to have fun," said Andrada.

"They came here, they represented their country to the best of their ability. They trained for four years, they competed under gigantic pressure.

"I understand this issue is under investigation but let's give those kids a break. Sometimes you take actions that you later regret.

"Why should the swimmers apologise? No. They had fun, they made a mistake, it's part of life, life goes on."