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Olympic Swimmer Ryan Lochte Apologizes for Behavior in Rio

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U.S. Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte has apologized for not being more "candid and careful" in his retelling of events that occurred at a gas station in Rio de Janeiro.

The 12-time medalist took to Instagram Friday apologizing for his role in taking the focus off the other Olympic athletes competing in Brazil.

"This was a situation that could and should have been avoided," Lochte said. "I accept responsibility for my role in this happening and have learned some valuable lessons."

Lochte, 32, Gunnar Bentz, 21, Jack Conger, 20, and Jimmy Feigen, 26, claimed that they were robbed at gun point when they were stopped by men who claimed to be police officers.

But Brazilian police later determined the athletes made up that story.  Security video reviewed by police and later released publicly confirmed the athletes vandalized a gas station and then spoke with armed security officials.

The group was asked to pay for the damages and they obliged, giving the station manager an unknown amount of money.

Lochte reiterated, however, that a stranger pointed a gun at him and demanded money to let him leave.

"Regardless of the behavior of anyone else that night, I should have been much more responsible in how I handled myself and for that am sorry," Lochte said.

Bentz and Conger lawyers said they were only witnesses and they had nothing to do with Lochte's story. They are heading home from Rio today after being pulled off a plane yesterday to testify about an alleged robbery.

Jimmy Feigen's lawyer said he made a deal with the judge to make a $10,800 payment and leave Brazil later in the day.

The drama came as a shock and deeply angered many Brazilians, who say it cast a negative shadow over their city and the games.

The U.S. Olympic Committee also apologized to the hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil.

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