Rio de Janeiro–(CelebrityAccess)– Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte described the events at a Rio de Janeiro gas station as "traumatic" in an apology over his actions.
Lochte apologized Friday for his behavior on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro, where he and three other American swimmers were seen on video at a gas station apparently vandalizing the place.
Police say at least one of the men was involved in vandalizing the gas station and urinating on its premises outdoors.
"I wanted 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 said Friday on Instagram.
He said he accepted responsibility for his role in the case and had "learned some valuable lessons."
He did not, however, roll back on his allegations the swimmers had been robbed at gunpoint by men posing as police. had said he and three other American swimmers were robbed Sunday at gunpoint, but police said security guards at the station had used weapons solely to control the men, saying at least one athlete had vandalized the station and another had urinated on the premises.
"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 you and demand money to let you leave," Lochte said Friday on Instagram. He also apologized over his behavior.
He also conceded he should have been "much more responsible" in his actions.
"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 competition and this was a situation that could and should have been avoided."–Staff Writers
