Swimmer Ryan Lochte has apologised for his role in the events which took place in Rio de Janeiro as he and his team-mates claimed that they were robbed at gunpoint.
Taking to Instagram and Facebook, Lochte said in a statement that he want to "apologize for my behaviour 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."
Stating that "it's traumatic to be out late with your friends in a foreign country [...] and have a stranger point a gun at you," Lochte added that he believes he "should have been much more responsible in how I handled myself."
The news comes after the US Olympics Committee (USOC) also issued an apology on Thursday night as a result of the events making headlines around the world.
They 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.
"The behaviour of these athletes is not acceptable," read the USOC statement, "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."
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