United States swimmer Ryan Lochte apologises for false account of Rio 'robbery'

Ryan Lochte of the USA swims the Men's 100m Butterfly heats during day three of the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships at Gold Coast Aquatics on August 23, 2014
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American swimmer Ryan Lochte issues an apology on social media for giving a misleading account of a late-night incident at the Rio Olympics.

United States swimmer Ryan Lochte has apologised for "not being more careful and candid" following a late-night incident in Rio de Janeiro during the Olympics.

The 12-time Olympic medallist claimed that he and US teammates Jack Conger, Gunnar Bentz and Jimmy Feigen were robbed at gunpoint in the early hours of Sunday by men posing as police officers.

However, CCTV footage appeared to contradict their story, showing armed security guards at a petrol station intervening after one of the four athletes had damaged a bathroom.

Lochte tweeted: "I should have been much more responsible in how I handled myself and for that I am sorry."

The United States Olympic Committee acknowledged the real version of events in a statement on Friday, while Feigen has been ordered to pay around £8,000 to a local charity.

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