‘Lyin’ Ryan’ Lochte loses top four sponsors over Olympic Games fake gunpoint robbery rumpus
Lochte’s version of the incident embarrassed the host city, angered local officials and further revelations about it – casting doubt on Lochte’s story – dominated much of the news coverage of South America’s first Olympics
Disgraced US Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte lost all four of his major sponsors on Monday, including Speedo USA and Ralph Lauren Corp, following his apology for an “exaggerated” story about being robbed at gunpoint at the Rio Games.
Lochte’s version of the incident embarrassed the host city, angered local officials and further revelations about it – casting doubt on Lochte’s story – dominated much of the news coverage of South America’s first Olympics.
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The US Olympic Committee issued an apology on Thursday, and Lochte, a 12-time Olympic medallist, made his own apology on Saturday in an interview with Brazil’s largest broadcaster, Globo TV.
Within hours of the Games coming to a close on Sunday night, swimwear maker Speedo USA issued a statement saying it would drop Lochte as one of its endorsers, while luxury retailer Ralph Lauren said it would not be renewing its contract with the swimmer.