Former United States Olympian Ryan Lochte is facing some backlash for his decision to auction off three of his Olympic gold medals.
Lochte is auctioning off his gold medals from 2004, 2008, and 2016. He announced the move in a post on Instagram, which drew some criticism and questions about his financial status.
Lochte addressed the critics in a separate Instagram post last week.
“I never swam for the gold medals,” Lochte wrote. “My passion has always been about being one of the best swimmers in the world. Those medals? They were just the cherry on top of an incredible journey. With 90 international medals — including Olympics, world championships, Pan Pacs, and Pan Am Games — I’ve been fortunate to achieve more than any swimmer out there. But what means the most to me is what I’ve done with them. I’ve given away medals to fans and young kids in the stands, because it’s never been just about me. It’s about inspiring the next generation and helping them chase their dreams. The memories, the hard work, and the connection with all of you are what I treasure the most.”
Lochte’s comment was part of a larger statement about some recent personal drama. His ex-wife Kayla posted video of him reciting his wedding vows just after he announced a tell-all book about his professional and personal challenges.
Lochte won a total of six Olympic golds in his career through individual and team events. He previously sold many of his bronze and silver medals as well.
While Lochte is not officially retired, the 41-year-old has not competed at the highest levels of the sport since 2016, when he infamously sparked a huge controversy during the Rio Olympics when he inaccurately claimed that he was held up at gunpoint after a night out.
