Thursday, August 18, 2016

Update: Ryan Lochte "We Would Never Lie"

"We would never lie!" Ryan Lochte.

"I didn't lie" would be strong.  This is a perfect snapshot of how guilt seeks to 'share' or spread it around' via the plural "we" instead of "I."

"Would never" is not "did not", but future conditional. 

Given the need to lie, the embarrassment and the continual 'denial' in media, my guess is that there is more to this story than the broken door, armed guard, and having to pay cash, on the spot, for the door.  

There may be more to this.  

This is an example of how difficult it is in determining where language originates:

In Ryan Locate's statement, there is both reliable and unreliable sentence and even some sentences from memory, while others, like who was pulling a gun when...not reliable.   

We may now learn why.   

Note that in this account,  a gun was present and money passed hands may be what was reliable in the statement.  The conclusion that something indeed happened, but not as written, too.  This  news account does not include any references to sex...

yet. 

Where were they coming from?  This may prove critical. 

This story comes to knowledge as another athlete (British)  reported being held up at gun point much to the embarrassment of Rio officials, which may be why they are pursuing this so strongly.  

It will be interesting to learn where they were before coming back when this happened.  

I do not think the embarrassment is because he was out drinking or that he was 'surprised' to realize that, as he told NBC, "I am 21." 

It is a guess, but I think the embarrassment is more than what is here, but we await more details... 


RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- A Brazilian police official is telling The Associated Press that American swimmer Ryan Lochte fabricated a story about being robbed at gunpoint in Rio de Janeiro.
The official, who has direct knowledge of the investigation, spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about an ongoing probe.
He said that around 6 a.m. on Sunday, Lochte, along with fellow swimmers Jack Conger, Gunnar Bentz and Jimmy Feigen, stopped at a gas station in Barra da Tijuca, a suburb of Rio where many Olympic venues are located. One of the swimmers tried but failed to open the door of an outside bathroom.
A few of the swimmers then pushed on the door and broke it. A security guard appeared and confronted them, the official said.
The official says the guard was armed with a pistol, but he never took it out or pointed it at the swimmers.
According to the official, the gas station manager then arrived. Using a customer to translate, the manager asked the swimmers to pay for the broken door. After a discussion, they did pay him an unknown amount of money and then left.

31 comments:

John Mc Gowan said...

Here are a couple of updates, Peter

It look like their "Story" is starting to unravel.

For some reason i can't copy and past the article information. The explanations are in the link below.

Events not adding up:

1) The Timing

2) The Numbers involved

3) The CCTV

4) The Denial

5) The X-rays

6) The Details that changed

7) The Missing Taxi

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/olympic-swimmers-us-robbery_uk_57b57cb8e4b003ab6d0b610f?utm_hp_ref=uk&


US Swimmer Fought With Security Guard on Night of Alleged Robbery: Police Source

Snipped:

As the police investigation continues into the alleged robbery of U.S. Olympic swimmers in Rio, a Brazilian police source told ABC News that "one of the swimmers was seen on CCTV footage breaking down the door to the bathroom at the gas station and fighting with a security guard" on the night of the incident.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/us-swimmer-fought-security-guard-night-alleged-robbery/story?id=41481840

Lisa21222 said...

Rio de Janeiro (CNN)The US Olympic swimmers facing questions about their reports of being robbed in Rio de Janeiro were involved in a fight at a gas station in the city and committed acts of vandalism there, a Brazilian newspaper is reporting.

The report is the latest development in the saga surrounding swimmers Ryan Lochte, James Feigen, Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz since questions emerged about their account of being robbed at gunpoint early Sunday.

Anonymous said...

Brazilian daily newspaper O Globo cited the owner of the Barra da Tijuca gas station as saying that the athletes had thrown stones at the business and torn one of its signs before urinating in the street on the morning in question.
"They stopped next to the gas station, and urinated outside right next to the gas station. We even have images of one of the athlete's butts, as he is pulling up his pants," said the owner, who the newspaper said chose to remain unnamed.

Skeptical said...

If Ryan Lochte is banned from swimming, there is always politics. He could probably run for the office of Village Idiot of Gainesville, Florida, and win in a landslide.

Tania Cadogan said...

BBM

A Brazilian police official has said that American swimmers - including Ryan Lochte - made up a story about being robbed at gunpoint in Rio de Janeiro.

The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Associated Press that the two American Olympic swimmers who were removed from a flight to the US, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger, admitted to fabricating the story.

The swimmers said they were robbed on Sunday as they travelled back to the Athletes' Village after a party at Club France - part of France's Olympic hospitality venue, a claim that has been questioned by police.

According to the unnamed official, the swimmers stopped at a petrol station, where they broke a locked bathroom door.

A security guard then confronted them, and after the station manager arrived, the swimmers paid him an unknown amount of money to pay for the door before leaving, the official said.


Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger were taken off a flight back to the US hours after a judge ordered gold medallist Ryan Lochte and his teammate Jimmy Feigen to stay in the country as police investigate their story.

Earlier, the swimmers were described as "kids" who deserve "a break", by a spokesman for the Games.

Speaking about the athletes, Rio spokesman Mario Andrada said:"They are competing under gigantic pressure. Let's give these kids a break - sometimes you take actions that you later regret.

"They had fun. They made a mistake. Life goes on,"
the spokesman added.

Lochte's father has confirmed he returned to the US on Tuesday, while Feigen is reportedly still in Brazil.

United States Olympic Committee spokesman Patrick Sandusky confirmed the swimmers were detained but had no further details.

They had said they were in a taxi in the early hours of the morning when armed men carrying police badges pulled them over.

Lochte told NBC's Today show: "They pulled out their guns, they told the other swimmers to get down on the ground - they got down on the ground.

"I refused, I was like we didn't do anything wrong, so I'm not getting down on the ground.

Doubts were raised about their account after Olympic Village X-ray machine records suggested the men were carrying belongings which they claimed had been stolen in police statements.

Judge Keyla Blanc also said she was puzzled by video footage of the swimmers apparently laughing and joking as they returned to the village.

"They arrived with their psychological and physical integrity unshaken," she wrote.

Authorities also said the group did not call police, and officers only began investigating once they saw media reports.

Lochte's father, Steve Lochte, told The Associated Press by phone from his Florida home that his son called him on Tuesday after arriving in the US.

The 32-year-old swimmer said he was going to pick up his car and buy a new wallet to replace the one that he said was stolen in the robbery.

Mr Lochte said: "I'm just happy he's safe. It was an unfortunate experience for him and the other three. I don't know what all the controversy is.

"They were basically taken out of the taxi and robbed. The main thing is he's very lucky that he's safe and that all they got was his cash and wallet."


He said his son's Olympic credentials and mobile phone were not taken during the incident and he was sure Ryan had his passport or he would not have been allowed to board a plane.

Lochte's lawyer, Jeff Ostrow, has said there is no question the robbery happened.

Twelve-time Olympic medalist Lochte swam in two events at the Rio Games, winning gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay.

http://news.sky.com/story/ryan-lochte-gunpoint-robbery-us-swimmers-pulled-off-flight-10541359

Nic said...
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Nic said...
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Nic said...

When I heard Lochte's story, I thought, again?

Now I'm wondering if Lochte is familiar with this news story from July:

New Zealand athlete flees Rio for Toronto after three run-ins with corrupt Brazilian cops
http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/rio-2016/new-zealand-athlete-flees-rio-for-toronto-after-three-run-ins-with-corrupt-cops


snip
"New Zealand athlete Jason Lee and journalist Laura McQuillan, his partner, arrived in Toronto yesterday, fleeing Rio de Janeiro after a third run-in with Brazilian military police, the New Zealand magazine Stuff reported.

Lee and McQuillan’s departure from Rio happened just days after the athlete said he was “kidnapped” by two military police officers, placed in an unmarked car and taken to several ATMs and forced to withdraw a total of 2000 Brazilian real ($800). After reporting the incident to the civil police, two military police officers visited the couple in their home. A second visit, this time at midnight, prompted the decision to leave Rio altogether.

....

Since Lee’s initial Tweet saying he was kidnapped, the couple has posted regular updates on Twitter as the saga unfolded. Lee and Macmillan said their social media accounts have been inundated with supportive messages, many from Brazilians jaded by corruption praising them for actually reporting the incident.

“For Brazilians this is no surprise — they deal with corrupt cops all the time,” said McQuillan. “They told us they would never report it out of fear. They don’t have the protection of the NZ embassy, the support of another police agency — they don’t make headlines.”

Two military police officers have since been taken into custody. Lee declined an invitation to testify at a military police tribunal. Brazilian authorities say he may still testify via video.

Lee, a national jiu jitsu champion, had been living in Rio with McQuillan for approximately a year, and is not part of New Zealand’s Olympic delegation (jiu jitsu isn’t an Olympic sport). Despite the ordeal, the couple has mixed feelings about leaving Brazil.

“Before this incident,” said Lee, “I would have happily said the gym there in Rio was my second home. I’m leaving behind many friends.”

“I’m completely gutted,” said McQuillan. “The point of going was twofold — Jay doing jiu jitsu, me covering the Olympics. I haven’t covered the Olympics before, so I’ll have to wait to tick that off my bucket list.”"

Olympic athletes have strict curfews. Did they arrive back to the Village after curfew? The robbery by "corrupt" cops being the excuse and garnering some "glory" (praise) in the process?

John Mc Gowan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

It was reportedly Lochte's mother who made initial comments to media, even before Lochte's interview.

If it was really hi-jinx & vandalism, it's not that hard to imagine someone who loves hyperbole saying "we were basically robbed on our way home"...especially if he's an indignant narcissist who felt they shouldn't have had to pay for vandalism.

Elements in his story could be true but mis-represented.
- The security guard may have been armed, and told "the other swimmers" to get on the ground
- Lochte may have been too busy to get on the ground, if his was the bare butt caught on videotape as he urinated outside
- In his trademark 'jeah' style, he may have been all "whatever" and possibly 'here, just take my wallet' ("they took my wallet")

There are also interesting aspects that may explain his language choices, such as the apparent distance from "the other swimmers". At 32 he's not only older, he's also a 3-time olympian...the "others" are just 20, 21, and 26.

Fascinating story.
Val

Anonymous said...

http://www.fox5ny.com/news/193352711-story

The official, who has direct knowledge of the investigation, spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about an ongoing probe.

He said that around 6 a.m. on Sunday, Lochte, along with fellow swimmers Jack Conger, Gunnar Bentz and Jimmy Feigen, stopped at a gas station in Barra da Tijuca, a suburb of Rio where many Olympic venues are located. One of the swimmers tried to open the door of an outside bathroom. It was locked.

A few of the swimmers then pushed on the door and broke it. A security guard appeared and confronted them, the official said.

Security camera video of a portion of the gas station incident was posted by TMZ.com.
clip in link provided.

The official says the guard was armed with a pistol, but he never took it out or pointed it at the swimmers.

According to the official, the gas station manager then arrived. Using a customer to translate, the manager asked the swimmers to pay for the broken door. After a discussion, they did pay him an unknown amount of money and then left.

The official says that swimmers Conger and Bentz, who were pulled off a plane going back to the United States late Wednesday, told police that the robbery story had been fabricated.

Bobcat said...

I wonder what was earlier in the videotape. I see five men (including guard?) exiting the restroom, but only one or two entering.

Bobcat said...

Context:

http://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/story/_/id/8133052/athletes-spill-details-dirty-secrets-olympic-village-espn-magazine

Missy said...

It seems you were not wrong, Peter!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3747442/The-truth-told-drunk-Video-shows-Lyin-Ryan-swimmers-destroying-gas-station-bathroom-Brazilian-police-furiously-deny-robbery-claims-brazen-Lochte-laughs-social-media.html

Boston lady said...

Their story seemed weak to begin with and didn't add up. It made me think of another olympian figure skater so was reported to have been mugged. Christoper Bowman was badly beaten. He was somehow in a very rough section of the city. It turned out it was a drug deal gone bad. Add time went on his drug addiction became much worse and he ..years later..died of an overdose. Very sad. He was a very talented figure skater. So when the robbery of the swimmers came out i couldn't help but think this might not be the entire truth.. if it were true,lochte would never have snuck out of the country. Will they be penalized by the usa or the ioc/Olympic committee? They lied.

Unknown said...

I don't understand why they didn't just keep their mouths shut and be grateful that the gas station owner didn't press charges against them. Why did they feel the urge to make up such a stupid story, for attention? Or possibly narcissism, like another poster mentioned? There probably was some animosity over being held accountable by someone they felt is beneath them, so they were trying to make themselves feel better by playing the victim card.

I don't know, but that Ryan Lochte is a trouble maker. Plus he's not that bright, sorry to say. That's worked out to be an embarrassing combination for him.

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Tania Cadogan said...

Police have reportedly recommended that two US swimmers, Ryan Lochte and James Feigen, face charges for falsely reporting a crime.

Rio police have made the call, according to Brazilian TV channel GloboNews, after two other American swimmers, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger, were taken off a flight headed back to the US.

The four athletes claimed they were robbed as they travelled back to the Athletes' Village after a party on Sunday.

Their version of events has been questioned by police, with one official saying that Bentz and Conger had admitted to fabricating their story.

Rio's civil police chief Fernando Veloso earlier said: "No robbery was committed against these athletes. They were not victims of the crimes they claimed."

He told a news conference that the four men had been inebriated and rowdy at a gas station after a night of partying, breaking down a bathroom door, a soap dispenser and a mirror.

A security guard then confronted them, and after the station manager arrived, the swimmers handed over an unknown amount of money before leaving, police said.

Bentz and Conger earlier had their passports seized by the authorities for failing to cooperate with police enquiries.

The charge of falsely reporting a crime does not carry any prison time, Mr Veloso is reported to have said.

The four had said they were in a taxi in the early hours of the morning when armed men carrying police badges pulled them over

Lochte initially NBC's Today show: "They pulled out their guns, they told the other swimmers to get down on the ground - they got down on the ground.

"I refused, I was like: we didn't do anything wrong, so I'm not getting down on the ground."

Doubts were raised about their account after records of Olympic Village X-ray machines suggested the men were carrying the belongings which they claimed had been stolen in police statements.

Judge Keyla Blanc also said she was puzzled by video footage of the swimmers apparently laughing and joking as they returned to the village.

"They arrived with their psychological and physical integrity unshaken," she wrote.

Lochte returned to the United States on Monday, while police say Feigen remains in Brazil.

Lochte's lawyer, Jeff Ostrow, has said there is no question the robbery happened.

Brazilian swimmer Thiago Pereria said the allegations had "worldwide repercussions", telling Globo that they "denigrated the image of our country, of the Olympics in our house."

Rio spokesman Mario Andrada, though, said the swimmers deserved "a break".

He said: "They are competing under gigantic pressure. Let's give these kids a break.

"Sometimes you take actions that you later regret. They had fun. They made a mistake. Life goes on."

http://news.sky.com/story/rio-police-recommend-charges-against-us-swimmers-lochte-and-feigen-10542518

Anonymous said...

Gigantic pressure is reported, but how many other competitors under gigantic pressure needed a drunken vandalizing relief valve and then fled?

John Mc Gowan said...

Ryan Lochte Talks To Billy Bush About Being Held Up At Gunpoint | TODAY

By all accounts this is the first interview with Lochte (on camera) although it doesn't show the full exchange.

Reporter: "What happened? Who were you with? What time of night? Who pulled you over?

This is a compound question and should always be avoided.

The reporter should have stopped with the initial question "what happened"?

"What happened?" or "tell me what happened" is the best question to ask. It allows him to begin wherever he chooses. The first sentence is always important. He could choose to begin anywhere, but where he chooses is vital and shows priority.
He will choose when to end the account. His words are his own.

There is a cut/edit after he asks his compound questions. So, when Lochte begins to speak it may not be where he initially began his account.

This is snip from an exchange they had to show how the language of a reporter can the influence the language of the subject.. The reporter has heard about what has happened and is repeating what he has been told.

Lochte: "He took our money he took my wallet and then"..

The reporter butts in.

Reporter: "But he left your cell phone he left your credentials"

The reporter is repeating what he has been told instead of allowing (him) Lochte, to talk freely.

Lochte: "He my left cell phone he left my credentials"..

He parrot's back almost verbatim. In fact, if you take out the pronouns it is. This gives him time to think and eases the stress of lying as he is not going into experiential memory where he may leak marbles. If the reporter had let him speak (free editing stage) we may have got more information of the alleged encounter.

I think (he) the reporter (along with others) would benefit greatly from attending and or taking Peter's training.

YT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxrYj0yCyLE

Anonymous said...

We all love a good scandal but I don't see any connection to sex in this story like mentioned in the first post. Nothing about gays or a gay bar or escorts, etc.

Anonymous said...

https://www.facebook.com/cnn/videos/10155190546511509/

Ryan Lochte says he and three other US Olympic swimmers were robbed at gunpoint, but Brazilian police say that's not true. Who's right? Here is the raw surveillance video from the gas station.

Tania Cadogan said...

updated

The behaviour of four US Olympic swimmers engulfed in a Rio robbery scandal has been described as "unacceptable".

Ryan Lochte, Jimmy Feigen, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger initially claimed they were robbed at gunpoint as they travelled back to the Athletes' Village after a party on Sunday.

Bentz and Conger have now returned to the US after giving their version of events to investigators.

Lochte returned to the United States on Monday, while police say Feigen remains in Brazil after revising his story.

A statement by the US Olympic Committee (USOC) confirmed claims by the Brazilian police that Lochte and his three teammates were not robbed, and the intoxicated athletes instead vandalised a petrol station toilet and were questioned by armed guards before they paid for the damage and left.

"An argument ensued between the athletes and two armed gas station security staff, who displayed their weapons, ordered the athletes from their vehicle and demanded the athletes provide a monetary payment," the USOC statement said.


"Once the security officials received money from the athletes, the athletes were allowed to leave.

"The behavior of these athletes is not acceptable, nor does it represent the values of Team USA or the conduct of the vast majority of its members.

"We will further review the matter, and any potential consequences for the athletes, when we return to the United States."

Brazilian swimmer Thiago Pereria said the allegations had "worldwide repercussions", telling Globo news that they "denigrated the image of our country, of the Olympics in our house."

Rio spokesman Mario Andrada said the swimmers deserved "a break".

He said: "They are competing under gigantic pressure. Let's give these kids a break.

"Sometimes you take actions that you later regret. They had fun. They made a mistake. Life goes on."

http://news.sky.com/story/rio-police-recommend-charges-against-us-swimmers-lochte-and-feigen-10542518

Nic said...


Lochte returned to the United States on Monday, while police say Feigen remains in Brazil after revising his story.
...
"Once the security officials received money from the athletes, the athletes were allowed to leave.


Lochte is a coward. Note how fast he got out of Brazil, solo.

Note the only way out was to pay the cops. Note that Feigen remains in Brazil after "revising his story". Yes, the three left behind admitted they lied. Two of them came up with the money to be released. I bet the reason Feigen is still in jail is because he hasn't paid up, yet.

jmo

Bobcat said...

Apology
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJSwyLJBoSH/

I want to apologize for my behavior last weekend – for not being more careful and candid in how I described the events of that early morning and for my role in taking the focus away from the many athletes fulfilling their dreams of participating in the Olympics. I waited to share these thoughts until it was confirmed that the legal situation was addressed and it was clear that my teammates would be arriving home safely.

It’s traumatic to be out late with your friends in a foreign country – with a language barrier – and have a stranger point a gun at your and demand money to let you leave, but regardless of the behavior of anyone else that night, I should have been much more responsible in how I handled myself and for that am sorry to my teammates, my fans, my fellow competitors, my sponsors, and the hosts of this great event. I am very proud to represent my country in Olympic competitions and this was a situation that could and should have been avoided. I accept responsibility for my role in this happening and have learned some valuable lessons.

I am grateful for my USA Swimming teammates and the USOC , and appreciate all of the efforts of the IOC, the Rio’16 Host Committee, and the people of Brazil who welcomed us to Rio and worked so hard to make sure that these Olympic Games provided a lifetime of great new memories. There has already been too much said and too many valuable resources dedicated to what happened last weekend, so I hope we spend our time celebrating the great stories and performances of these Games and look ahead to celebrating future successes.

lynda said...

In lieu of all this..

When RL statement was analyzed to begin with Peter said it was true..he was robbed.

So was SA wrong? Were they robbed AND acted "unruly".

Is the gas station incident completely separate from the robbery?

Did robbery actually happen?

If SA was wrong..it was really wrong if the whole robbery was fabricated. If the robbery was completely false, what does this say about RL? who can fool someone like Peter with a false statement?

I'm confused by this whole thing..

Bobcat said...

http://www.businessinsider.com/ryan-lochte-held-at-gunpoint-rio-party-2016-8

The original video, with full original statement is here.

The interviewer first says "What happened?"

But then...

He asks multiple questions in a row.

The transcript was incomplete/bad from the start.

DEborah said...

This is terrible. He lied, I have no doubt about it, about everything. Why he did this I will never know. It is terrible. I hope he receives SEVERE penalties and gets side-lined from swimming indefinitely. Make him watch other people swim while just his toes are dipping in the pool. Perhaps then he'll rethink his evil ways.

Foolsfeedonfolly said...

Re: lynda @ 10:50 AM August 19, 2016- I understand what you're saying here.

You said (in part):
"When RL statement was analyzed to begin with Peter said it was true..he was robbed."

"If SA was wrong..it was really wrong if the whole robbery was fabricated. If the robbery was completely false, what does this say about RL? who can fool someone like Peter with a false statement?"
_______________________________

I'm no expert, but I *think* Peter's conclusion regarding the "robbery" was indeed correct SA-wise because Lochte perceived himself as being robbed. Simply put, he didn't believe he should have to pay for damages he caused, hence the "robbery" assertion. That's why he differentiated between "they took our money; he took my..."- Lochte was highly offended, insulted, and ticked that someone was making him pay.

Clearly, Lochte has an ego/narcissism issue as evidenced by his contemptuous language directed at "the other swimmers". Note that although they all regularly trained together, traveled together, ate together, lived together at the Village, and partied together- they were not described as friends, nor even as teammates. Lochte is not a team player and world-class swimmer or not, doesn't deserve to be an Olympian. His "performance" greatly detracted from and overshadowed the multitude of other hard working athletes. He's not the first Olympic swimmer and he won't be the last. He might do well to remember that.

His non-apology is a lie too. He is neither sorry ("I want to apologize...)nor does he admit he outright lied. Moreover, he has the audacity to state that too much time and attention has been wasted on this. "There has already been too much said and too many valuable resources dedicated to what happened last weekend, so I hope we spend our time celebrating the great stories and performances of these Games and look ahead to celebrating future successes." EGO, much? He has a strong, pressing need to divert the focus from him, he's got multiple million dollar sponsorship deals hanging in the balance. He needs this news story to die quickly, so he feigns repentance and sportsmanship with this statement.

Unknown said...

He said: "They are competing under gigantic pressure. Let's give these kids a break.

To me hes saying.......when people are under gigantic presure its normal they go act like kids.

Werent these "kids" not 21,23 and 26 years of age?????
In real life they would be called ADULTS and in court they would have been charged as adults......when "kids" go out vandilizing stuff.....they will be punished for it too if caught.....so why would it be ok for adult athletes to go act like kids?

I was thinking the same about his apology......this doesn't sound to me like a real apology.....first he begins with
"I want to apologize for my behavior last weekend – for not being more careful and candid in how I described the events of that early morning and for my role in taking the focus away from the many athletes fulfilling their dreams of participating in the Olympics."

He's not apologizing for his lies.....he WANTS to apologize for his behaviour because it has taken away focus of many athletes because of his lies. He waited to say because he still doesn't own up up to his actions and still holds on to the lie.....in his second paragraph he "explains" again his lie......so his apology is worth nothing!

Anonymous said...

Is his apology worth nothing? Wait and watch if his sponsors leave. Damage control or real apology? See the house Phelps sponsors helped build?