In portions of a full interview with NBC’s Matt Lauer Saturday night, U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte attempted to clarify his role in the early morning episode at a Rio de Janeiro gas station last weekend.
One day after apologizing on social media, Ryan Lochte appeared remorseful and emotional, sporting a fresh comb over instead of his silver hair as he took “full responsibility” for his exaggerated version of the events and his “immature behavior.”
Lochte, 32, initially said that he and three of his teammates — James Feigen, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger — were victims of a robbery, held at gunpoint by armed men posing as police after a night of celebrating.
His claims were later refuted by Brazilian police, who cited surveillance video and witness testimonies. Rio’s Civil Police said Thursday, “There was no robbery.”
Lauer pressed Lochte on why he maintained his statement to police and to the media, including NBC, that they were “victims.”
Lochte could not pointedly answer that question, but admitted, “I over-exaggerated that story.”
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SOURCE: NPR The Torch – Emma Bowman