# YOUR unOFFICIAL Ryan Lochte phony/not phony Olympic robbery thread! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 18, 2016, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153 "2016-08-18T05:55:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/61 "2016-08-19T12:08:39Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > But so many people (including myself) automatically gave Lochte et al. the benefit of the doubt because “Why would they lie about something like that?” Maybe it was believable because of previous accounts of robbery/theft during the Olympics? > [@](#): > > My hypothesis? He lied because he knew the gas station would likely have survelliance cameras and that the video footage would be in circulation very soon. So he fabricated a “we wuz robbed” story to get control of the situation. Isn’t it more likely he lied because he didn’t think a “Third World” gas station would have video surveillance to disprove his claims? I’ll be surprised if there aren’t semi-groveling apologies to the Brazilians and big fines paid down the line. Whether or not there are team suspensions and a push to rescind medals remains to be seen (doubt the latter will occur). ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/62 "2016-08-19T12:33:16Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I’ll be surprised if there aren’t semi-groveling apologies to the Brazilians and big fines paid down the line. Whether or not there are team suspensions and a push to rescind medals remains to be seen (doubt the latter will occur). Grovelling appolgy: > **[US apologises for swimmers' 'unacceptable behaviour'](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-37127499)** > > The United States Olympic Committee apologies for the "unacceptable behaviour" of four US swimmers who claimed they were robbed at gunpoint in Rio. Payment to charity for offence caused: > **[Rio Olympics: US swimmer Jimmy Feigen 'settles robbery row'](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-37130024)** > > US Olympic swimmer Jimmy Feigen agrees to pay nearly $11,000 to a Brazilian charity over his involvement in a dispute about an armed robbery. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/63 "2016-08-19T12:59:05Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > Payment to charity for offence caused: > [Rio Olympics: US swimmer Jimmy Feigen 'settles robbery row' - BBC News](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-37130024) So basically they probably weren’t robbed but they _were_ kidnapped and held for ransom. Maybe its just me but I’m not feeling much better about the police and officials in Brazil than I was before when I figured it was just a normal robbery blown out of proportion. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/64 "2016-08-19T13:02:34Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > My hypothesis? He lied because he knew the gas station would likely have survelliance cameras and that the video footage would be in circulation very soon. So he fabricated a “we wuz robbed” story to get control of the situation. And because he’s an idiot, he couldn’t keep the lie straight My wife loves the idea that he originally just told his mom the truth: _some guy with a gun flashed a badge, but he totally wasn’t a cop, and he robbed me; and we didn’t report it to the police, because we were afraid we’d get in trouble._ Because – well, that’s all technically correct, isn’t it? I mean, if a security guard uses the threat of force to take your property from you as restitution, then, sure, justice was done by someone who isn’t a cop but does have a badge and a gun; and you of course don’t go to the police, because that guard was fining you on his own initiative for your variousness sundry achievements in wrongdoing. Reminds me of the bit in 30 ROCK where Liz’s ex-boyfriend mentions that his cousin _“broke his ankle running from some black guys that pulled a gun on him.”_ “Now, why is it important to tell me that the muggers were black?” “They weren’t muggers; they were cops.” “So why don’t you just say he was running from some cops?” “I dunno. I mean, you’re a racist for assuming that they _weren’t_ cops.” ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Lowry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Sam\_Lowry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Lowry)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/65 "2016-08-19T13:48:32Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > My wife loves the idea that he originally just told his mom the truth: _some guy with a gun flashed a badge, but he totally wasn’t a cop, and he robbed me; and we didn’t report it to the police, because we were afraid we’d get in trouble._ > > Because – well, that’s all technically correct, isn’t it? I mean, if a security guard uses the threat of force to take your property from you as restitution, then, sure, justice was done by someone who isn’t a cop but does have a badge and a gun; and you of course don’t go to the police, because that guard was fining you on his own initiative for your variousness sundry achievements in wrongdoing. I want to know so much more, because there are still strange things about the story. I’ve heard both that the guard didn’t take his gun out and that he did. I’d also love to hear an interview with Ryan Lochte’s mom. I also want to know more about the “donation” that Jimmy Feigen is making, is it to an actual charity or is it to a “charity”? Can the average Brazilian do that to get out of trouble? Or the average foreigner? Or just Olympic athletes? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/66 "2016-08-19T14:04:48Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > So basically they probably weren’t robbed but they _were_ kidnapped and held for ransom. Maybe its just me but I’m not feeling much better about the police and officials in Brazil than I was before when I figured it was just a normal robbery blown out of proportion. The story I read this morning was that they were being held to wait for the cops but they offered money as restitution so they could leave before the cops arrived. It may be a little shady but I think “kidnapped” is a little hyperbolic. I mean they tore down a sign and pissed on the wall. Maybe broke some stuff in the washrooms. And you going to say they were kidnapped because they weren’t allowed to just leave? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/67 "2016-08-19T14:14:58Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > The story I read this morning was that they were being held to wait for the cops but they offered money as restitution so they could leave before the cops arrived. It may be a little shady but I think “kidnapped” is a little hyperbolic. I mean they tore down a sign and pissed on the wall. Maybe broke some stuff in the washrooms. And you going to say they were kidnapped because they weren’t allowed to just leave? Wiki says detaining someone under Citizen’s Arrest is, in fact, legal in Brazil. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Lowry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Sam\_Lowry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Lowry)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/68 "2016-08-19T15:07:32Z")
> [@Sam\_Lowry](#): > > I also want to know more about the “donation” that Jimmy Feigen is making, is it to an actual charity or is it to a “charity”? Can the average Brazilian do that to get out of trouble? Or the average foreigner? Or just Olympic athletes? Also, to be clear I think that all four should get whatever appropriate punishment, it is shameful that they vandalized a gas station and lied about it. But it’s just strange to me that instead of paying government fines, that one of them wasn’t allowed to have his passport until he donated to a charity. I don’t know if that’s how the legal process is in Rio, or that’s just how it actually is, or if that’s just how it is for certain people. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/69 "2016-08-19T15:26:24Z")
How it is for certain people – sort of like “Hello, commissioner, this is the Justice Ministry, we have the Olympic Committee rep and the Embassy on conference call… let’s figure a way to get this mess dealt with without anyone having to go to court…” ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/70 "2016-08-19T15:35:55Z")
I think the cops wanted the truth to come out, and now that it has they’ll ease up on the actual charging and punishment, is all. Especially since two of the offenders have left the country. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/71 "2016-08-19T15:38:32Z")
FYI, his apology is [here](https://www.instagram.com/p/BJSwyLJBoSH/?hl=en) on Instagram. ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/72 "2016-08-19T15:56:32Z")
He would have gotten away with it, too. If it wasn’t for those medaling kids. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/73 "2016-08-19T15:59:41Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > FYI, his apology is [here](https://www.instagram.com/p/BJSwyLJBoSH/?hl=en) on Instagram. No lucrative endorsement deals for you, Ryan. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/74 "2016-08-19T16:48:58Z")
> [@yanceylebeef](#): > > He would have gotten away with it, too. If it wasn’t for those medaling kids. Bravo! ---
**Author:** ![Noelq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noelq/32/16438_2.png) [@Noelq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noelq)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/75 "2016-08-19T16:52:29Z")
> [@Noelq](#): > > I completely believe Ryan’s version. > > Ryan, bless his heart, just ain’t that bright enough to make up a story and stick to it. > > I watched his reality series. He’s got the creativity of a fence post. Whelp, it looks like I owe you folks an apology. I guess Ryan IS smarter than a fence post. I’m going back to lurking. Its much safer that way. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/76 "2016-08-19T17:00:14Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > No lucrative endorsement deals for you, Ryan. I’m picturing a splitscreen ad showing kids in two classrooms. “Hi, I’m Michael Phelps. You guys want to grab a Coca-Cola with me?” “YAAAAAAY!” “Hi, I’m Ryan Lochte. \ Is Pepsi okay?” “BOOOOOO!” _“When it comes to drinking, no one knows more about bad decisions than Ryan Lochte; enter our contest for you and your friends to have a Coca-Cola with Michael Phelps!”_ ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/77 "2016-08-19T17:17:14Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > The story I read this morning was that they were being held to wait for the cops but they offered money as restitution so they could leave before the cops arrived. It may be a little shady but I think “kidnapped” is a little hyperbolic. I mean they tore down a sign and pissed on the wall. Maybe broke some stuff in the washrooms. And you going to say they were kidnapped because they weren’t allowed to just leave? Close to it; close enough for me. Flat-out arrest them or fine them through a court for what they did and I have no issue with it. But the way I’m reading it looks more like basic extortion than anything else. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > No lucrative endorsement deals for you, Ryan. It may lower his value but I don’t think it will totally destroy it. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/78 "2016-08-19T17:19:40Z")
No, I think this is enough of a stain on his reputation that he won’t get endorsement deals. Plus even with twelve medals he’s second to Michael Phelps. ---
**Author:** ![Corry\_El](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Corry\_El](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corry_El)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/79 "2016-08-19T17:22:05Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > The story I read this morning was that they were being held to wait for the cops but they offered money as restitution so they could leave before the cops arrived. It may be a little shady but I think “kidnapped” is a little hyperbolic. I mean they tore down a sign and pissed on the wall. Maybe broke some stuff in the washrooms. And you going to say they were kidnapped because they weren’t allowed to just leave? Kidnap is hyperbole. But it’s not clear it wasn’t a robbery. The Brazilian reports said vandalized a bathroom, bathroom seemed pretty completely intact on NBC video report, sign in the hall damaged. And it’s still not clear how much money changed hands. Lochte is a jerk for telling a story on international TV of a pure, ‘minding own business when…’ robbery (where he also kinda sounded like the cool guy under pressure) when it was really a murky incident involving drunken foolishness. It doesn’t actually seem however that the story was ‘made up’ as in completely imaginary or what happened couldn’t possibility be viewed as armed robbery. And the gas station people and Brazilian authorities don’t seem to have been completely ‘candid’ about everything that happened either: cutting out a big portion of a tape you release to start a media/internet frenzy by ‘proving’ somebody else is lying is a big red flag. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153/80 "2016-08-19T18:50:11Z")
Who would have guessed that being a drunken douche is a traumatic experience? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-unofficial-ryan-lochte-phony-not-phony-olympic-robbery-thread/763153.md?page=5)