Ryan Lochte says he will not rule out going to rehab in the wake of the incident that took place at a gas station in Rio during the Olympics.
TMZ caught up with Lochte in Los Angeles Monday, and the six-time gold medalist was asked if he has given any consideration to going to rehab for alcohol abuse, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
“I don’t know. I can’t answer that question right now,” he said. “Right now I just need to see my family and talk with them about it.”
Lochte, who has already lost his sponsorship deal with Speedo and another with Ralph Lauren, admitted he was intoxicated when he and his three U.S. swimming teammates got into a confrontation last weekend. In fact, he even cited alcohol as a reason he repeated his lie about being robbed at gunpoint in a live television interview.
Lochte was also asked about the possibility of the U.S. Olympic Committee banning him from competition.
“If the USOC says I can’t swim anymore I think that would be the most hurtful (thing), just because I’ve put so much time and effort into this sport,” he said. “That would be heartbreaking.”
While Lochte and his teammates may have had a gun pulled on them and been extorted for money, even a statement one of the other swimmers gave (read it here) does not paint Lochte in a flattering light. Things could get worse for him before they get better.
