Ryan Lochte, 3 Other Swimmers Robbed At Gunpoint In Rio
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RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CBSMiami) -- American olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte and three of his teammates said they were robbed at gunpoint in Rio de Janeiro as they went out for the night following the end of the swimming events at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
"According to four members of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team (Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger, Jimmy Feigen and Ryan Lochte), they left France House early Sunday morning in a taxi headed for the Olympic Village. Their taxi was stopped by individuals posing as armed police officers who demanded the athletes' money and other personal belongings. All four athletes are safe and cooperating with authorities," read a statement from the U.S. Olympic Committee.
According to Lochte's mother, the athletes' wallets were stolen but no one was hurt.
On NBC's "Today" show, Lochte said they were riding in a taxi when they were pulled over by armed men claiming to be police officers and showing badges. They ordered the swimmers out of the car and to the ground, then took their money and wallets but left their credentials and cellphones.
Sunday, Lochte released a statement about the robbery on his Instagram page.
Lochte swam in two events at the Rio Games, winning gold in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay.
There have been other incidents in the city known for violence, including two members of the Australian Paralympic sailing squad who were robbed before the Games began.
The Australian Olympics committee said other "athletes have been mugged while training or competing in Rio test events" leading up to the Summer Games.