Another day of Olympic games is behind us. Amounting evidence leaves the US Olympic committee with no choice but to apologize for Ryan Lochte’s misbehavior.
Yesterday Renzo Gracie refuted a robbery story presented by Ryan Lochte and Jimmy Feigen.
Renzo Gracie told Veja:
“I received the text [provided that the assault would not be true] someone who asked not to be identified, but working within the Olympic Village. From it, I called some acquaintances who worked in the security of the site. When questioned about the veracity of the assault, they showed fear and would not confirm or deny what had happened to the swimmers, “Gracie said
“I remembered that when we entered the Olympic Village, we had to leave all our belongings aside and pass through detectors – and this whole process was filmed. That would be the chance to prove that they could be fabricating the assault, “he said among other things.
Now another Gracie, weighed in with his insights- UFC legend Royce Gracie told TMZ:
“You are a professional athlete. The young generation is looking up to you … come clean.”
Gracie believes the root of the problem is alcohol — with Brazilian officials saying Lochte and the other 3 swimmers were hammered when they vandalized a gas station bathroom in Rio.“He needs to clean up his act and stop drinking,” Gracie says …
“People will respect him more.”
“As an athlete I am on a different level. I don’t drink, never smoked. He should know that and he forgets what the life of an athlete is.”
“It’s time for him to quit drinking and don’t ever drink again … that’s what caused this.”
In light of Lochte’s story two other Olympic swimmers were detained by Brazilian police – Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger. Once the two provided statements their passports were returned.
USOC statement released on Thursday appeared to agree with Rio police’s assertions that Lochte’s version of events are false:
“As we understand it, the four athletes (Bentz, Conger, Feigen and Ryan Lochte) left France House early in the morning of August 14 in a taxi headed to the Olympic Village,” the USOC statement said. “They stopped at a gas station to use the restroom, where one of the athletes committed an act of vandalism. An argument ensued between the athletes and two armed gas station security staff, who displayed their weapons, ordered the athletes from their vehicle and demanded the athletes provide a monetary payment. Once the security officials received money from the athletes, the athletes were allowed to leave.”
Police and the station’s owner said the Americans damaged an advertising sign, and that two women were with the men but stayed in a taxi that was parked behind their cab.
The USOC statement went on to apologize for the events of the last week. “The behavior of these athletes is not acceptable, nor does it represent the values of Team USA or the conduct of the vast majority of its members. We will further review the matter, and any potential consequences for the athletes, when we return to the United States.
“On behalf of the United States Olympic Committee, we apologize to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil for this distracting ordeal in the midst of what should rightly be a celebration of excellence.”
