US swimmer Feigen also apologizes for fake robbery story

American Olympic swimmer James Feigen issued a formal apology on Wednesday for causing "serious distractions" at the Rio Olympics with his made-up story about robbery.

American swimmer Ryan Lochte on August 14 alleged he and three other fellow Olympians Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and James Feigen, had been robbed at gunpoint in Rio de Janeiro by people claiming to be police officers, reports Sputnik.

Last week, Brazilian Chief of Civil Police Fernando Veloso said that the US Olympic swimmers' claims about being robbed in Rio had proven to be false.

"First and foremost, I would like to apologise for the serious distractions from the Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, and Team USA. It was never my intent to draw attention away from the tradition of athletic competition and the symbolic cooperation of countries participating in the Olympic games," Feigen said in a statement released through his attorneys.

He also apologised for the delay in his statement on the issue.

Feigen has become the third US sportsman involved in the Rio gas station alleged robbery scandal to provide details to speak publicly on the issue. Lochte apologised on August 19 for his behaviour followed by Bentz.

--IANS

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