Ryan Lochte has apologized for "not being more careful and candid" in describing what happened to him and fellow U.S. Swim Team members.

"It's traumatic to be out late with your friends in a foreign country," wrote Lochte, who gave an apparently fictitious account of being robbed in Rio and could face charges. His full message is below.

UPDATE: Here are photos of the gas-station damage Ryan Lochte caused in Rio

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Credit: Getty Images

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Lochte initially spun a swashbuckling narrative about having a gun pressed to his head after he and and his fellow swimmers were supposedly “robbed.” But video footage shows the guys at a Rio gas station, where authorities say they broke a door and got into a spat with security guards before paying for the damage in cash and leaving.

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At first Lochte was sticking to his story although he tweaked some details. Now he's fallen on his verbal sword in posting a statement to his official, public Instagram account. Here it is:

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Credit: Jennifer Brett

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Credit: Jennifer Brett

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Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
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