- Ryan Lochte’s life took unexpected turns after a high-profile false robbery scandal overshadowed his swimming career.
- Once a dominant force in the pool, he now navigates new challenges and finds joy in unexpected places.
- Competitive swimming has become an added bonus in his life, rather than his main focus.
Ryan Lochte, an American swimmer, is celebrated for his remarkable achievements in the world of competitive swimming. Over the course of his career, Lochte has secured an impressive 12 Olympic medals.
The six gold Olympic medals he has won, make him the second most-decorated Olympian in history after Michael Phelps. Despite his stellar career, Lochte’s life took a significant turn after the false robbery scandal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Ryan Lochte celebrates with his Gold Medal during the Medal Ceremony for the Men’s 400m Individual Medley at the London 2012 Olympic Games in London, England, on July 28, 2012. | Source: Getty Images
Lochte, who was born on August 3, 1984, excels in multiple swimming disciplines, particularly in backstroke, freestyle, and individual medley events.
He attended the University of Florida, where he earned a B.S. degree in 2007. During his time there, he won seven NCAA swimming titles, including three individual titles in 2006.
Ryan Lochte competes in a preliminary heat for the Men’s 200m individual medley during the 2021 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 17, 2021. | Source: Getty Images
The swimmer first gained international recognition at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. There, he won a gold medal in the 4 × 200-meter freestyle relay. He also bagged a silver medal in the 200-meter individual medley, finishing behind Phelps.
Ryan Lochte competes in the men’s swimming 200 metre individual medley heat during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, on August 18, 2004. | Source: Getty Images
After gaining worldwide fame, Lochte continued to impress in other events, including the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. At this event, he won a gold medal in the 200-meter backstroke, setting a new world record of 1 minute 53.94 seconds. He also bagged gold for the 4 × 200-meter freestyle relay.
Ryan Lochte poses with his medals in the NBC Today Show Studio at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, on August 15, 2008. | Source: Getty Images
Lochte started the 2012 London Olympics with a victory in the 400-meter individual medley, winning a gold medal. Despite this success, he faced challenges in other events, securing a silver in the 200-meter individual medley behind Phelps and a bronze in the 200-meter backstroke.
In relay competitions, the swimmer earned a gold medal in the 4 × 200-meter freestyle relay and a silver in the 4 × 100-meter freestyle relay.
Ryan Lochte attends Arluck Promotions and Wright Entertainment & Sport present their athlete celebration party in London, England, on August 7, 2012. | Source: Getty Images
However, his achievements in the pool during the Rio Olympics were overshadowed by events outside of it. Lochte claimed that he and fellow swimmers Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger, and Jimmy Feigen were robbed at gunpoint in Rio de Janeiro.
A collage of James Feigen (top L), Ryan Lochte (top R) Gunnar Bentz (bottom L), and Jack Conger | Source: Getty Images
Lochte described the incident, “We got pulled over, in the taxi, and these guys came out with a badge, a police badge, no lights, no nothing just a police badge and they pulled us over.”
Ryan Lochte attends the Speedo Rio 2016 Olympic Games racing suit unveiling at SIR Stage37 in New York City, on December 15, 2015. | Source: Getty Images
He continued, explaining that the robbers drew their guns and instructed the other swimmers to get on the ground, which they did. Lochte, however, initially refused, asserting his innocence and standing his ground.
Ryan Lochte holds a press conference two days ahead of the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, on August 3, 2016. | Source: Getty Images
Eventually, a robber pointed a gun at him and demanded compliance, leading to Lochte raising his hands. “He took our money, he took my wallet — he left my cell phone, he left my credentials,” Lochte recounted.
Ryan Lochte competes in the swimming men’s 200m individual medley at the XXXI Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, on August 10, 2016. | Source: Getty Images
The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) spokesman Patrick Sandusky also released a statement on the incident.
He said that according to Lochte, Bentz, Conger, and Feigen, they were stopped by individuals pretending to be armed police officers while returning to the Olympic Village from France House.
Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger are mobbed by the media and onlookers while leaving the police station after questioning in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, on August 18, 2016. | Source: Getty Images
These impostors demanded money and other personal belongings from the athletes. Sandusky assured that all four athletes were safe and cooperating with authorities.
Lochte’s mom, Ileana Lochte came with a different narrative, telling news organizations that the robbery took place in a party. “I think they’re all shaken up. There were a few of them. No, they were just, they just took their wallets and basically that was it,” she said.
Ryan Lochte taking part in the Men’s 200m Individual Medley Final during the swimming event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 11, 2016. | Source: Getty Images
However, conflicting reports, including a denial from the International Olympic Committee, cast doubt on this account.
Lochte’s reputation teetered as these conflicting reports and surveillance footage emerged, contradicting his account of the events. Eventually, he admitted to fabricating his account of the incident.
It was revealed that the true events involved the swimmer, in a state of intoxication, damaging a gas station bathroom. The athletes had then paid armed security guards for the damages, rather than being robbed at gunpoint as Lochte initially claimed.
Ryan Lochte poses for a portrait during the Team USA Tokyo 2020 Olympic shoot in West Hollywood, California, on November 23, 2019. | Source: Getty Images
The justice department in Rio also opened an investigation into Lochte over his fabricated robbery story. They intended to summon him back to Brazil to give his testimony after the investigation was completed.
Ryan Lochte speaks to the media after winning the Men’s 200m Individual Medley during the Phillips 66 National Championships in Stanford, California, on August 4, 2019. | Source: Getty Images
Lochte’s spokesperson, Melissa Nathan, stated that the swimmer would not be making any comments on the issue. Additionally, David Kubiliun from Greenspoon Marder’s criminal law practice in Florida weighed in on the matter.
He clarified that Lochte would not face extradition unless charged with an offense specified in the extradition treaty between the U.S. and Brazil.
Even so, Lochte faced significant backlash for his false claims, resulting in several sponsors, including Speedo and Ralph Lauren, severing ties with him. Lochte was later suspended for 10 months by both the United States Olympic Committee and USA Swimming.
Ryan Lochte speaks to the media after winning the Men’s 200m Individual Medley during the Phillips 66 National Championships in Stanford, California, on August 4, 2019. | Source: Getty Images
Two years later, the situation took a quixotic turn when Lochte received a 14-month suspension. His second punishment came after he posted an image on social media showing him receiving an intravenous infusion.
As much as the infusion was for an allowed substance, the swimmer had to get a therapeutic use exemption, which he didn’t, leading to his suspension.
In 2021 Lochte was determined to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team and compete at the Tokyo Games. However, he failed to qualify. If he had earned a spot on the US team for Tokyo, he would have become the oldest American male swimmer to ever compete at an Olympics.
The swimmer, who was 36 at that time, is also a father and husband. He is married to Kayla Rae Reid and they have three children, Caiden, Liv, and Georgia.
Lochte had also reflected on the challenge of competing with much younger swimmers while balancing the demands of family life. Unlike his younger counterparts, he struggled with the added responsibilities of parenthood, which left him with less time to recover and train.
“I didn’t have pressure back then had no responsibilities. It was just me, the goofball Ryan Lochte, getting on the blocks and just racing,” he explained.
Lochte acknowledged that he had never felt so much pressure as when he tried to earn a spot on the US team for Tokyo. Despite trying to maintain a relaxed mindset, the stakes were higher as he sought to prove himself to critics and demonstrate personal growth.
A dad of two at the time, he had expressed that his motivation stemmed from his role as a family man. He was driven to show his children that facing setbacks and persevering through challenges is what ultimately defines a person.
As much as he did not qualify for the 2021 Olympics, Lochte declared, ” I’m fighting a lot of things, but I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.”
Lochte has come far and looking back, he is proud that he was able to get himself back up after getting knocked down to the very bottom. Three months into his second suspension, Lochte opted to undergo a six-week outpatient treatment for alcohol use.
This decision followed an incident where he was locked out of his hotel room in Southern California and attempted to force his way back in, drawing media attention.
“I was just headed to a dark, dark place. It just seemed like every time that I was drinking heavily, I was doing something stupid and it was a pattern. It made me realize the path I was heading down if I kept going that route,” he recalled.
Reflecting on his behavior, Lochte acknowledged that continuing on his previous path could have led to serious consequences, including accidents or harm to others. He recognized it as a wake-up call that he needed to mature and make significant changes in his life.
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Lochte made a change for the better and is now there for his wife and kids. His daughter Liv recently turned five and he shared a series of pictures of his little girl on Instagram, including a throwback picture of him holding her as a newborn.
His son Caiden was born on June 8, 2017, while his daughter joined the family on June 17, 2019. The pair’s third child, Georgia, was born on June 21, 2023.
The couple, who got married in January 2018 at their home in Florida, often share family pictures, including a lovely video of the four of them celebrating the Fourth of July in 2024.
Despite the lows he has experienced in life, Lochte’s happiness now knows no bounds due to the blessing of family. He is proud of who he has become and says his calling is to be a husband and a father.
“I have a beautiful wife, two gorgeous kids, and it’s everything that I’ve ever wanted in life. This trumps every gold medal I’ve ever won,” he gushed in 2021.
Although Lochte has not officially announced his retirement from competitive swimming, he did not take part in the U.S. Olympic team trials for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The swimmer has since shifted his perspective, viewing swimming as an added bonus rather than the center of his existence. Lochte acknowledges that his life has evolved significantly, and he is content with the person he has become.
