Four US swimmers robbed at gunpoint

Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO

Ryan Lochte and three other American swimmers were robbed at gunpoint early Sunday by thieves posing as police officers who stopped their taxi and took their money and belongings.

In the latest security incident to hit the Rio de Janeiro Games, Lochte told NBC that one of the robbers put a gun to his forehead before taking his wallet. No one was injured.

“While it is true that my teammates and I were the victims of a robbery early Sunday morning, what is most important is that we are safe and unharmed,” Lochte said in a message posted on Instagram. “I look forward to getting home so that I can begin to map out the plans for my future with an eye on representing #TeamUSA at the #2020 Tokyo Olympics.”

Lochte and his teammates were returning to the athletes’ village by taxi after a night out at the French Olympic team’s hospitality house in the Rodrigo de Freitas area in the upscale south zone of the city. The outing was several hours after Olympic swimming ended Saturday night at the Rio Games.

“Their taxi was stopped by individuals posing as armed police officers who demanded the athletes’ money and other personal belongings,” U.S. Olympic Committee spokesman Patrick Sandusky said in a statement. “All four athletes are safe and cooperating with authorities.”

Sandusky told The Associated Press the robbers took cash and credit cards only, and that no Olympic medals were lost.

Traveling with Lochte were Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen. Lochte swam in two events at the Rio Games, winning gold in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay. He is a 12-time Olympic medalist.

Bentz and Conger also were part of that relay, their only event in Rio. Feigen was on the 4x100-meter freestyle relay, another gold-winner for the U.S. in Rio.