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American Swimmers Pulled Off Plane in Rio American Swimmers Pulled Off Plane in Rio
(35 minutes later)
RIO DE JANEIRO — Two American swimmers were pulled off their flight to the United States by the Brazilian authorities, Olympic officials said Wednesday night, the latest indication that the police were skeptical of the swimmers’ claims that they had been held up at gunpoint during the Rio Games.RIO DE JANEIRO — Two American swimmers were pulled off their flight to the United States by the Brazilian authorities, Olympic officials said Wednesday night, the latest indication that the police were skeptical of the swimmers’ claims that they had been held up at gunpoint during the Rio Games.
“We can confirm that Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz were removed from their flight to the United States by Brazilian authorities,” a spokesman for the United States Olympic Committee said. “We are gathering further information.”“We can confirm that Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz were removed from their flight to the United States by Brazilian authorities,” a spokesman for the United States Olympic Committee said. “We are gathering further information.”
In a case that has made headlines around the world, the relay gold medalist Ryan Lochte said that after leaving a party early Sunday, he and three other Olympic swimmers from the United States were robbed at gunpoint by men claiming to be police officers. In a case that has grabbed headlines around the world, the gold medalist Ryan Lochte said that after leaving a party early Sunday, he and three other Olympic swimmers from the United States were robbed at gunpoint by men who identified themselves as police officers.
The idea that such prominent athletes could be robbed by officers during the Olympics was a huge embarrassment for Brazil, underscoring longstanding concerns about holding the Games in a crime-plagued city like Rio de Janeiro.The idea that such prominent athletes could be robbed by officers during the Olympics was a huge embarrassment for Brazil, underscoring longstanding concerns about holding the Games in a crime-plagued city like Rio de Janeiro.
But questions about the Americans’ testimony to the police are turning that embarrassment into anger, with many Brazilians wondering whether the athletes lied about the episode and smeared their country’s reputation.But questions about the Americans’ testimony to the police are turning that embarrassment into anger, with many Brazilians wondering whether the athletes lied about the episode and smeared their country’s reputation.
In a conversation on Wednesday with NBC’s Matt Lauer, Mr. Lochte changed certain details about the episode. The swimmer had previously said that an assailant had put a gun against his forehead, but now said that the gun was aimed in his “general direction.”In a conversation on Wednesday with NBC’s Matt Lauer, Mr. Lochte changed certain details about the episode. The swimmer had previously said that an assailant had put a gun against his forehead, but now said that the gun was aimed in his “general direction.”
Mr. Lochte had also previously said that the swimmers had been robbed when men identifying themselves as police officers pulled over their taxi. However, on Wednesday, he told NBC that the taxi had stopped at a gas station so they could go to the bathroom. Mr. Lochte had also previously said that they had been robbed when men identifying themselves as police officers pulled over their taxi. However, on Wednesday, he told NBC that the taxi had stopped at a gas station so they could go to the bathroom.
Mr. Lochte went on to say that they were robbed upon returning to the taxi. He ascribed these inconsistencies to “traumatic mischaracterization” caused by stress. Mr. Lochte emphasized to Mr. Lauer that he viewed himself as a victim. Mr. Lochte went on to say that they were robbed upon returning to the taxi. He ascribed these inconsistencies to “traumatic mischaracterization” caused by stress. Mr. Lochte emphasized to Mr. Lauer that he viewed himself as a victim in the episode.
The episode has created a significant test for the newly collaborative relationship between American and Brazilian law enforcement officials. In the months leading up to the Olympics, the countries worked closely together as they tried to improve Brazil’s ability to thwart a terrorist attack. But on Wednesday night, American officials seemed to be in the dark after the detention of Mr. Conger and Mr. Bentz at the airport. The incident has created a significant test for the newly collaborative relationship between American and Brazilian law enforcement officials. In the months leading up to the Olympics, the countries worked closely together as they tried to improve Brazil’s ability to thwart a terrorist attack. But on Wednesday night, American officials seemed to be in the dark after the detention of Mr. Conger and Mr. Bentz at the airport.
“We have seen media reports that two U.S. citizen athletes were detained,” said John Kirby, a State Department spokesman. “We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance.”“We have seen media reports that two U.S. citizen athletes were detained,” said John Kirby, a State Department spokesman. “We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance.”
Brazilian law enforcement officials have kept American diplomatic and law enforcement officials at arm’s length as they have moved forward with their investigation, according to senior American officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they did not want to be identified discussing a continuing Brazilian investigation. Late Wednesday night, hours after the swimmers were removed from the plane, it was unclear where they were being held. When asked if United States Olympic officials knew where the American swimmers were, Patrick Sandusky, a spokesman for the United States Olympic Committee, said, “At this point we are gathering details and have no further comment.”
Brazilian law enforcement officials have kept American diplomatic and law enforcement officials at arm’s length as they have moved forward with their investigation, according to senior American officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they did not want to be identified discussing an ongoing Brazilian investigation.
Earlier Wednesday, a Brazilian judge issued an order to prevent Mr. Lochte and James Feigen, the other swimmer involved in the episode, from leaving the country as doubts emerged about their statements.Earlier Wednesday, a Brazilian judge issued an order to prevent Mr. Lochte and James Feigen, the other swimmer involved in the episode, from leaving the country as doubts emerged about their statements.
But Mr. Lochte, a 12-time Olympic medalist, had left Brazil before the judge issued the order to seize the passports of the swimmers, according to Mr. Lochte’s lawyer in the United States. It was not clear if Mr. Feigen was still in Brazil.But Mr. Lochte, a 12-time Olympic medalist, had left Brazil before the judge issued the order to seize the passports of the swimmers, according to Mr. Lochte’s lawyer in the United States. It was not clear if Mr. Feigen was still in Brazil.
When asked why United States Olympics officials had allowed Mr. Conger and Mr. Bentz to board a plane to leave Brazil despite the investigation, Patrick Sandusky, a spokesman for the United States Olympic Committee, declined to comment. Mr. Sandusky declined to comment when asked why United States Olympics officials allowed Mr. Conger and Mr. Bentz to board a plane to leave Brazil despite the ongoing investigation.
Agents from Brazil’s Federal Police, an investigative force that oversees Brazil’s borders, detained Mr. Conger and Mr. Bentz at Galeão International Airport in Rio, according to local news reports. Investigators from Rio’s Tourism Police had asked for their passports to be seized so they could respond to questioning in the case. Agents from Brazil’s Federal Police, an investigative force that oversees Brazil’s borders, detained Mr. Conger and Mr. Bentz at Rio’s Galeão International Airport, according to local news reports. Investigators from Rio’s Tourism Police had asked for their passports to be seized so they could respond to questioning in the case.
Shortly after they were removed from the plane, the two men were shown on the Globo television network as they were escorted to a police station in the airport. They declined to talk to television reporter at the entrance to the station.Shortly after they were removed from the plane, the two men were shown on the Globo television network as they were escorted to a police station in the airport. They declined to talk to television reporter at the entrance to the station.
Investigators have not found evidence corroborating the account, according to local news reports, prompting the judge’s order.Investigators have not found evidence corroborating the account, according to local news reports, prompting the judge’s order.
“You can see the supposed victims arriving without signs of being physically or psychologically shaken, even joking amongst themselves,” Judge Keyla Blanc de Cnop said in a statement, referring to video of the swimmers returning to the Olympic Village after the party.“You can see the supposed victims arriving without signs of being physically or psychologically shaken, even joking amongst themselves,” Judge Keyla Blanc de Cnop said in a statement, referring to video of the swimmers returning to the Olympic Village after the party.
The Brazilian authorities are coming under scrutiny for an array of armed assaults during the Games, despite the deployment of an 85,000-member security force to ease fears about violent crime.The Brazilian authorities are coming under scrutiny for an array of armed assaults during the Games, despite the deployment of an 85,000-member security force to ease fears about violent crime.
Mr. Sandusky said that the police looked for the two swimmers Wednesday, but that the athletes were no longer at the Olympic Village.Mr. Sandusky said that the police looked for the two swimmers Wednesday, but that the athletes were no longer at the Olympic Village.
“The swim team moved out of the village after their competition ended, so we were not able to make the athletes available,” Mr. Sandusky said. He added that the U.S.O.C.’s security protocol prevented him from confirming the athletes’ current locations. “The swim team moved out of the village after their competition ended, so we were not able to make the athletes available,” Sandusky said. He added that the U.S.O.C.’s security protocol prevented him from confirming the athletes’ current locations.
Mr. Lochte’s lawyer, Jeff Ostrow, rejected assertions that his client and the other swimmers might have fabricated details of their accounts, describing such claims as efforts by Brazilian officials to deflect criticism of problems in Rio. Lochte’s lawyer, Jeff Ostrow, rejected assertions that his client and the other swimmers might have fabricated details of their accounts, describing such claims as efforts by Brazilian officials to deflect criticism of problems in Rio.
“The country has a dark cloud over it for a million and one reasons, from their economy to their crime to their management of the Olympics,” said Mr. Ostrow, who is based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “My client has cooperated thoroughly with the Brazilian authorities and stands behind his statement.” “The country has a dark cloud over it for a million and one reasons, from their economy to their crime to their management of the Olympics,” said Ostrow, who is based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “My client has cooperated thoroughly with the Brazilian authorities and stands behind his statement.”
Still, there is growing speculation in Brazil that the episode might not have unfolded as the swimmers described it.Still, there is growing speculation in Brazil that the episode might not have unfolded as the swimmers described it.
Mr. Lochte told NBC’s “Today” show that men had drawn guns and that one of them had taken his money and wallet, but left his cellphone and credentials. Lochte told NBC’s “Today” show that men had drawn guns and that one of them had taken his money and wallet, but left his cellphone and credentials.
He also told USA Today that the swimmers did not initially tell the U.S.O.C. about what had happened “because we were afraid we’d get into trouble.”He also told USA Today that the swimmers did not initially tell the U.S.O.C. about what had happened “because we were afraid we’d get into trouble.”
Mr. Lochte and Mr. Feigen told Brazilian investigators that they left the party at Club France, a temporary venue set up to promote the country, at around 4 a.m. Sunday, according to local news reports. Lochte and Feigen told Brazilian investigators that they left the party at Club France, a temporary venue set up to promote the country, at around 4 a.m. Sunday, according to local news reports.
But video cameras showed the swimmers leaving at 5:50 a.m., about an hour before they arrived at the Olympic Village at 6:56 a.m., according to Extra, a Rio newspaper.But video cameras showed the swimmers leaving at 5:50 a.m., about an hour before they arrived at the Olympic Village at 6:56 a.m., according to Extra, a Rio newspaper.
There are other points of confusion in the accounts by Mr. Lochte and Mr. Feigen, the only swimmers to provide testimony to Brazilian investigators. There are other points of confusion in the accounts by Lochte and Feigen, the only swimmers to provide testimony to Brazilian investigators.
The men, who said they were intoxicated upon leaving the party, said they could not remember the color of the taxi they took, or where exactly the assault took place. Investigators have been unable to find the taxi driver who delivered the swimmers back to the village.The men, who said they were intoxicated upon leaving the party, said they could not remember the color of the taxi they took, or where exactly the assault took place. Investigators have been unable to find the taxi driver who delivered the swimmers back to the village.
A prosecutor in Rio, André Buonora, said in a statement that the swimmers could face charges of providing false testimony if they had lied to investigators.A prosecutor in Rio, André Buonora, said in a statement that the swimmers could face charges of providing false testimony if they had lied to investigators.
Despite the controversy, it is not uncommon for the police in Rio to be implicated in armed assaults.Despite the controversy, it is not uncommon for the police in Rio to be implicated in armed assaults.
Shortly before the Olympics, Jason Lee, a jujitsu champion from New Zealand, said he had been briefly kidnapped by police officers and forced to withdraw about $800 from his bank account.Shortly before the Olympics, Jason Lee, a jujitsu champion from New Zealand, said he had been briefly kidnapped by police officers and forced to withdraw about $800 from his bank account.
Despite a history of such episodes in Rio, many Brazilians have grown defensive over criticism of the city. Some are lashing out at the swimmers, contending that they are hiding something.Despite a history of such episodes in Rio, many Brazilians have grown defensive over criticism of the city. Some are lashing out at the swimmers, contending that they are hiding something.
“So, the American swimmer lied about the robbery?” Mariana Godoy, a television news announcer, asked in a Twitter post. She implied that Mr. Lochte was trying to cover up something untoward. “So, the American swimmer lied about the robbery?” Mariana Godoy, a television news announcer, asked in a Twitter post. She implied that Lochte was trying to cover up something untoward.
“He left one party and went to ‘another party’ and didn’t want to tell Mommy about it?” Ms. Godoy wrote. “He left one party and went to ‘another party’ and didn’t want to tell Mommy about it?” Godoy wrote.