RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 14 (Gephardt Daily) — U.S. swimmer and Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte was robbed at gunpoint, along with three other American swimmers, in Rio de Janeiro early Sunday morning.
One of the bandits — who posed as a police officer — reportedly held a gun to Lochte’s forehead after he and the other swimmers were pulled from a taxi during a bogus traffic stop.
Lochte told the media that as the cab was pulled over, he and fellow swimmers were approached by men with badges.
“They pulled out their guns. They told the other swimmers to get down on the ground,” Lochte told NBC.
“I refused. I was like, we didn’t do anything wrong, so I’m not getting on the ground.
“And then this guy pulled out his gun. He cocked it and put it to my forehead and he said, ‘Get down.’
“He took our money. He took my wallet. He left my cell phone and he left my credentials,” Lochte said.
Lochte and fellow swimmers Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen had been partying at a hospitality house event sponsored by France’s Olympic team prior to the robbery.
None of the athletes were injured during the incident. The police investigation into the robbery continues.
