Ryan Lochte announced on social media that he is ready to get back to work now that the 10-month ban he received for his part in an incident at a petrol station during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games has been served.
As of yesterday, the 32-year-old six-times Olympic swimming gold medalist is clear to return to international competition after seeing out the ban imposed by the US Olympic Committee and USA Swimming for the incident, which became known as “Lochtegate”, he caused after making up the story that he and team-mates Jimmy Feigen, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger had been held up and robbed by men posing as police.
It soon emerged that the group had been obliged by an armed security guard to pay for damage caused to a petrol station after a drunken night of celebration.
The scandal caused great offence in Brazil and embarrassment in the US.
Lochte was effectively barred from this month’s World Aquatics Championships in Budapest as he was still suspended when the US Trials took place, but he has previously said he is targeting the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, warning other swimmers to “watch out”.
Today, he tweeted another statement of intent which also referenced his son Caiden, born on June 8.
His tweet said: “It’s been a long suspension but it’s over, I’ve learned and became a better man from it…. now let’s go #2020 #teamtyr #2020isforyoucaiden.”
The post also featured a video clip which ended with the message “#justletmework”.
Lochte’s full punishment also included the loss of USA Swimming support during the ban, and he was required to fulfill 20 hours of community service.
He was also prevented from attending the White House visit made by the US Olympic team post-Rio 2016.
But Lochte has nevertheless been busy during his enforced break, taking part in the TV show “Dancing with the Stars” and competing at the US Masters Nationals.
Find the full story of the return of Lochte and other sporting stars making comebacks over the years, in the Big Read here.
By Mike Rowbottom
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz.