Author Katie Kindelan’s article “Ryan Lochte Made a ‘Very Big Mistake’ in Rio Robbery
Claim, Moving Forward on ‘Dancing With the Stars'” found on ABC News, Tuesday August 30
2016, informs the reader about Ryan Lochte’s “very big mistake.” Lochte claims
that he was robbed at gun point at a gas station in Rio after winning a gold medal in the Mens 4 x
200m freestyle relay final. He also made a false police report in connection to the incident.
Lochte claims he was under the influence of alcohol when he and his teammates vandalized a
bathroom at the gas station. The Olympians were confronted by armed security guards who
requested money for the damage caused. He also touches upon the fact that he returned home to
Charlotte, North Carolina shortly after the incident while his teammates- Gunnar Bentz, Jack
Conger and James Feigen- were being held by Brazilian authorities for questioning. Lochte was
interviewed on August 30th 2016 by “Good Morning America” News during which he stated, “I
think it’s everyone blowing this way out of proportion. I think that’s what happened.”  He later
noted, “I take full responsibility. I’m human. I made a mistake. A very big mistake.” Lochte later
spoke out about how he will be a celebrity competitor o n “Dancing With the Stars” season 23.

I personally cant get enough of the Olympic Games. People all over the world watch the
Games every 4 (2 years) years to see highly trained athletes compete for a gold metal and to
represent their country with pride. I was interested in the fact that even after his “Big Mistake”,
Lochte was still invited to be on season 23 of “Dancing With the Stars.” Lochte states “The
emotional part is the hardest thing. It’s been really hard, but the fans, my family, my friends,
they’ve all been really positive, keeping me going, and that’s what I want to do.”

People all across the world have heard about Ryan Lochte, The guy who was supposedly
robbed at a gas station in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Millions of children around the world watch
the Games. Kids look up to many athletes in various events. How do parents tell their children
that their role model lied about being robbed, was intoxicated, and made a false police report
about the incident? Lochte also lost several major sponsors including Polo Ralph Lauren, Speedo
and Mattress Company  Airweave. Not only did he represent his country poorly, he also let down
millions of Americans who looked up to him as a figure of achievement.