Despite news that a Brazilian judge on Wednesday ordered the passports of Olympic swimmers Ryan Lochte and James Feigen seized as doubts grew over their claim of being robbed at gunpoint in Rio, Lochte apparently made it out of the country and back to the United States sometime Wednesday.
A judge has ordered Ryan Lochte and James Feigen to stay in Brazil, as doubts emerged over reports they were robbed https://t.co/O5BEEEa6tf
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 18, 2016
Brazilian authorities have found little evidence so far to support Ryan Lochte's armed robbery claim in Rio. https://t.co/buEvYhnZGx
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 18, 2016
So, it looks like Lochte really did make it out of Brazil before his passport could be seized.
Judge orders Ryan Lochte to stay in Brazil, but he's already left https://t.co/JLLzOL3112 #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/RzMlHBzBAW
— Variety (@Variety) August 18, 2016
A 'relaxed' Ryan Lochte back in U.S. while Brazilian judge orders his passport seized https://t.co/WN51lefcF6 pic.twitter.com/9OacZ4E7Iu
— People (@people) August 17, 2016
People Magazine reports that Lochte and his girlfriend were spotted at an airport Wednesday.
The 32-year-old 12-time Olympian was seen walking through Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina with Playboy Playmate Kayla Rae Reid around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, according to an eyewitness.
Lochte seemed “relaxed” and was wearing tennis shoes and track pants.
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About those doubts: Brazilian officials are reportedly unhappy that Lochte and his teammates might have embarrassed their host country by spreading an image of violent crime being rampant, but even the U.S. media is starting to wonder just what happened in Rio.
The smoking gun seems to be video showing the swimmers passing through security on their was back to the Olympic Village. Not only are they seemingly relaxed; the video appears to show them holding their wallets and phones as they pass through the security screening.
If @RyanLochte and his swimming teammates were robbed, why do they still have their phones? @npwcnn reports from Rio https://t.co/g1In7gLwrv
— The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) August 17, 2016
“They arrived with their psychological and physical integrity unshaken,” the judge wrote https://t.co/xDpzofoOBb
— New York Post (@nypost) August 17, 2016
He might be home, but Lochte’s not out of the water yet.
This Ryan Lochte story has, uhm… legs.
— JDW (@daf1999) August 18, 2016
* * *
Update:
Lochte’s teammates might have waited just a little too long to get out of the country. Word is they were pulled off of their “getaway” flight.
USA swimmers Gunnar Bentz & Jack Conger pulled off plane at #Rio Airport in connection w/alleged #RobberyInRio #RyanLochte #NBC4DC
— Chris Lawrence (@clawrenceDFW) August 18, 2016
BREAKING: The other 2 USA swimmers who say they were w Lochte during robbery have just been pulled off their plane at Rio airport.
— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) August 18, 2016
More: Gunnar Bentz & Jack Conger were not named by Brazilian judge who wanted Lochte & Feigen's passports seized but now they are in limbo.
— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) August 18, 2016
To be clear, Ryan Lochte is back in US, Jimmy Feigen is still in Brazil. All this reporting confirmed by NBC Sports.
— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) August 18, 2016
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