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Ryan Lochte's apology accepted by Olympic organisers at Rio 2016

CCTV.com

08-20-2016 10:38 BJT

Full coverage: 2016 Rio Olympics

To the ongoing story involving Ryan Lochte, and three of his U-S swimming teammates. Lochte, a multiple olympic champion claimed he and his teammembers were robbed at gunpoint last Sunday. An investigation found that may not have been the case -- but instead, that the quartet vandalized a gas station bathroom. Lochte, has apologized for his actions, but did not recant his allegations of being robbed. But his apology has been accepted by Olympic officials, and the mayor of Rio.

"We obviously accept his  apology and we appreciate it. The understanding that we have, even from yesterday, is that the Brazilian population was quite disappointed in the actions and the facts... it's clear that the Brazilian population was kind of, felt humiliated by the early part of the issue," said Mario Andrada, Rio 2016 spokesperson.

"It's clear there's been a lot of bruised feelings here in the country with this and obviously the IOC has great sympathy with that, with those feelings, people feeling upset with what seems to have happened, so we are glad about the apology, we think it is entirely appropriate and we welcome it," said Mark Adams, IOC spokesperson.

"I think all of us, more than just thanking, we should also accept the apology by the U-S Olympic committe, it was the correct gesture by them. Regarding the swimmers, I admit that my only feeling towards them is of pity, contempt, it's a shame that their character failed, and now it's their problem and of the American committee decide what to do," said Eduardo Paes, Rio de Janeiro mayor.

Three of four swimmers involved in incident have returned to US

Lochte, flew back to the United States the day after Sunday's incident. Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentze were originally not allowed to leave the country, as they were taken off a plane to America to be questioned, but they left Brazil yesterda. That ledt Jimmy Feigen as the only one of the four remaining in the Olympic city. And Feigen paid 11-thosuand dollars to a charity, as a sign of goodwill. Rio Games organisers hope that this puts an end to this incident.

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