The more details that emerge surrounding the alleged robbery of Ryan Lochte and three of his USA Swimming teammates, the worse it reflects on the American Olympians.
After Lochte claimed that the group had been robbed at gunpoint after a night out in Rio, authorities launched an investigation that found several holes and various inconsistencies in the testimonies from those involved, including Lochte.
"No robbery was committed against these athletes. They were not victims of the crimes they claimed," civil police chief Fernando Veloso said during a news conference on Thursday.
On Thursday, the AP cited an anonymous official with direct involvement in the investigation and reported that two of the swimmers, Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz, told police that Lochte had fabricated the story. According to the official, the swimmers reportedly broke a bathroom door at the gas station and were approached by two security guards, who pointed their guns at the swimmers. The station's owner then confronted the men and asked them to pay for the broken door. Before leaving the scene, the swimmers reportedly gave him an undisclosed amount of money.
U.S Olympic Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger.
Conger and Bentz's confession comes after the two were pulled off an airplane and detained just before they were set to depart for the United States. A third teammate, Jimmy Feigen, previously had his passport seized as the investigation carried on, while Lochte managed to catch a flight back to the United States before his own passport was claimed.
Security footage captured at the gas station shows the men entering and exiting the bathroom before trying to leave in a cab and being approached by officials, who kept them on the premises.
