The International Olympic Committee has denied reports that U.S. swimming star Ryan Lochte was robbed at gunpoint during a party in Rio.
“All I can tell you is that from USOC (the United States Olympic Committee), is they spoke to Lochte and he said it wasn’t true,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams said Sunday morning.
USA Today reported that Lochte and at least one of his U.S. teammate were held at gunpoint early Sunday, according to his mother. Ileana Lochte said her son and the teammate were in a taxi that stopped to fill up with gas when people approached them with guns and knives.
“I think they’re all shaken up. There were a few of them,” Ileana Lochte said. “They just took their wallets and basically that was it.”
Head U.S. women’s swim coach David Marsh, who also works as Lochte’s personal coach, disputed Ileana Lochte’s claim to USA Today via text message.
Fox Sports initially said Lochte was held up at a party Saturday night, also citing his mother. The news outlet said Ileana Lochte had spoken to her son following the alleged incident, which Lochte told her was “terrifying.”
With files from Bev Wake