US Olympic swimmer Jimmy Feigen apologizes, says he omitted facts to protect teammates

REUTERS

8 years ago

In this Aug. 2, 2016, file photo, U.S. swimmer James Feigen smiles during a swimming training session prior to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Feigen apologized for the “serious distraction” he and three teammates caused at a gas station during the Rio Olympics, saying he omitted facts in his statement to police. (Matt Slocum, File/AP)

In this July 3, 2016 file photo, Gunnar Bentz stands with teammates during the men’s 400-meter relay team medal ceremony at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials in Omaha, Neb. The U.S. Olympic Committee said on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016 that two American swimmers were taken off their flight from Brazil by local authorities amid an investigation into a reported robbery involving Ryan Lochte and his teammates. (Mark J. Terrill, File/AP)

U.S. Olympic swimmer Jimmy Feigen apologized on Wednesday for omitting key details when he told Rio de Janeiro police this month that he and fellow swimmers had been held up at gunpoint.

In a statement on the website of an Austin, Texas, law firm, Feigen said he failed to tell police that the swimmers had urinated behind a building or that teammate Ryan Lochte had torn a metal-framed advertising poster from a wall.

“I realize that I made a mistake by omitting these facts. I was trying to protect my teammates and for this I apologize,” said Feigen, 26.

Initial claims by the Olympians that they were robbed at gunpoint had embarrassed Brazil, which suffered a series of assaults against visiting government ministers, athletes and tourists, until local police accused Lochte, 32, of making up the story to cover up vandalizing a gas station.

Lochte said in an interview on Brazil’s Globo TV on Saturday that he was sorry for exaggerating but that he did not lie.

Feigen said a man at the gas station pointed a gun at him, and that he was unsure at the time if the gunman was affiliated with the gas station. He and swimmer Gunnar Bentz gave the man money, he said.

“This was the first time I have ever had a gun pointed at me and I was terrified,” he said.

Brazilian authorities returned Feigen’s passport and allowed him to leave the country after he paid a $11,000 fine.

Feigen said he arrived home late on Saturday, and he praised the people of Rio “for their hospitality in hosting these games.”

“I have nothing but respect for the city in undertaking the massive responsibility of hosting the Olympics and I feel their performance was exemplary,” he said.