Ryan Lochte apologizes for behavior in Rio

On Friday morning, the two men were allowed to return home and they have already landed in Miami, ESPN reports. Costa said Feigen’s passport would be returned and he would be able to leave Brazil after making the payment, ABC said.

The decision was made, police said, in a court appearance to answer accusations that the swimmers had made false claims they were robbed. The gas station owner said Lochte, who later acknowledged being intoxicated, also urinated on the outer wall before leaving. Bentz said a security guard flashed a badge at him and drew his handgun.

The athletes initially refused to stay, but security asked the taxi not to leave.

Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes said Friday he felt “pity and contempt” for the swimmers, saying he accepted the U.S. committee’s apology.

After security video emerged of the incident, the U.S. Olympic Committee admitted an act of vandalism had taken place and apologized for the swimmers’ behaviour.

After Lochte’s statement was published, Rio 2016 spokesman Mario Andrada said Friday, “We obviously accept his apology and appreciate it”.

The incident gave to a hashtag battle on social media, with some referring to it as #LochteGate and others preferring #Lochtemess.

While Bentz placed the blame on Lochte for instigating the trouble at the gas station early Sunday, he also supported a number of details in Lochte’s account.

In his apology on Friday, Lochte, who has won 12 Olympic medals and is 32, said the gas station confrontation had been scary.

The United State Olympic Committee didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lochte has said he plans to take an extended break after Rio, and relocate to Los Angeles.

Bentz and Conger said they were not robbed in revised testimony given to police hours before their departure, senior Rio police officer Alexandre Braga told Reuters.

The three were accused of lying to the police over the matter that infuriated Games organisers and the people of Brazil as they’ve accused the Americans of sullying the country’s reputation.

But it looks like Lochte got caught being not-so-candid on camera.

Police announced Thursday that their investigation found the swimmers were not the victims of a robbery.

Lochte, now back in the US, said in his apology that he delayed releasing his statement until “it was clear that my teammates [three other swimmers involved in the investigation] would be arriving home safely”.

Today, Lochte issued a mea culpa of sorts (kind of) after it was discovered that he and three teammates lied about being held at gunpoint in Rio.

On Thursday, police provided CCTV footage and other evidence about what really happened.