Rio Olympics 2016: US swimmer Jimmy Feigen 'pays £8,000 to settle Ryan Lochte robbery row'

Payment: Jimmy Feigen
AP
Mark Chandler19 August 2016

Olympic swimmer Jimmy Feigen has agreed to pay more than £8,000 to help settle a row over his team’s disputed armed robbery allegation.

Fellow swimmers Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger were booed and jeered by an angry crowd as they left the country today after police accused them of fabricating a story about being robbed at gunpoint during the Games.

Star Ryan Lochte had told a reporter the four gold medallists had been targeted by robbers disguised as police officers.

However, police claimed the robbery never happened and the Americans had actually vandalised a petrol station toilet and then offered to pay for the damage.

Although Lochte left the country on Tuesday, Feigen had stayed on and was detained by police.

CCTV: Ryan Lochte was captured on CCTV with other swimmers
Reuters

Today, Feigen’s lawyer, Breno Melaragno, told the BBC: "He will donate 35,000 reais (£8,220) to an institute, and with that the case is resolved.

"After this donation is done, his passport will be given back to him, and he will be free to return home."

The US Olympic Committee (USOC) has now issued an apology on behalf of the swimmers, saying: “We apologise to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil for this distracting ordeal in the midst of what should rightly be a celebration of excellence."

The USOC confirmed police accusations, including that one of the swimmers had vandalised a petrol station after the group stopped there to use the bathroom during a taxi ride back to the Athletes' Village from a late-night party in the city.

It also backed up other police evidence, including a security video showing the swimmers in an argument with staff at the Shell service station.

"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," it said, adding that the guards allowed the swimmers to leave once some cash had been handed over.

The USOC said it would further review the incident and assess any potential consequences for the athletes.

USA Swimming said it could also take possible action.

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