This is crazy, and I’m just glad the mercurial swimmer is safe and sound.
Ryan Lochte and at least one of his U.S. swimming teammates were held up at gunpoint early Sunday morning, according to the swimmer’s mother.
BREAKING: Swimmer Ryan Lochte's mother tells Fox Sports he was robbed at gunpoint; Rio organizers aware of unspecified 'issue'
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 14, 2016
According to Lochte’s mom — the group was in a cab Early Sunday morning heading to meet up with Brazilian swimmer Thiago Pereira when the cab stopped to get gas, Ileana Lochte said.
At that point — she said the group was held up and confronted by people who had guns and knives.
Olympic officials are disputing the claim per USA Today — with David Marsh, Lochte’s personal coach and IOC spokesman Mark Adams reporting that wasn’t the case.
David Marsh, Lochte’s personal coach and the head women’s coach for the U.S. swim team, disputed Ileana Lochte’s comments and told USA TODAY Sports via text message that Lochte “was not held up” and was trying to figure out exactly what happened.
IOC spokesman Mark Adams said report of Lochte being held up at gunpoint was “absolutely not true.”
Adams said Sunday during briefing from Rio that his information about Lochte not being robbed at gunpoint came directly from the swimmer and the U.S. Olympic Committee.
We’ll have more on this story when it becomes available.