Brilio.net/en - The story was pretty straightforward, or so it seemed. Ryan Lochte and three of his American Swim teammates were on their way home from a party when they got pulled over and mugged at gunpoint. The man notorious for his jeah was able to muster a solid whatever in statements he gave to the NBC Network and came away relatively unharmed.
That is, until the truth started rearing its head. There are not allegations against the American swimmers by Brazilian officials that say that they arent victims, but rather vandals.
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Opinion: Ryan Lochte Robbed In Rio And People Are Somehow Surprised
Security footage has been released that shows Lochte and his three teammates entering a gas station in Barra da Tijuca, a calm neighborhood where many Olympians are housed. The footage shows that the men tried to use the bathroom door, and upon failing to open it, broke it. A security guard appeared to confront them, and while he was armed with a weapon, he didnt use it.
All the noise eventually brings out the manager, who with the help of some customers is able to translate. He demands that they pay for the damage and after a while, the men hand over an unspecified amount of money. Swimmers Jack Cogner and Gunnar Bentz were pulled off a plane homeward bound on Wednesday afternoon to be questioned and eventually confessed to police that the story had been fabricated by Lochte. Who told his mother. Who told the press.
Lucky for Lochte, he bailed on Brazil before he could be detained for re-questioning.And now thats something we would pay to see - Lochte getting questioned by Brazilian police.
While vandalizing a store is pretty aggravating and disrespectful, lying about it is getting Lochte more heat. The white American privilege is almost palpable. And Rio officials are keen on getting the truth out. The Olympics were fraught with violent headlines, such as body parts washing ashore on the Beach Volleyball courts, but have remained relatively secure in the past month. The Lochte debacle was a negative slap in the face, especially since it wasnt even true.
Lets see if Lochte can charm his way out of this one.