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RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Rio organizers showed their tolerance when talking about Ryan Lochte and three other U.S. swimmers whose initial mugging story seemed to have contradicted with a police investigation.
"I understand the issue is under investigation. Let's cut these kids some break," said Rio Rio 2016 chief spokesman Mario Andrada Thursday. " Sometimes you take actions that you later regret. They are magnificent athletes. Lochte is one of the best swimmers of all times. They made a mistake. This is part of life and life goes on.
Lochte and his teammates originally said they were robbed at gunpoint on Sunday by men impersonating police officers who took their wallets. However, the story has conflicted with a police investigation with reports of Lochte, Jack Conger, Gunnar Bentz and James Feigen in a fight at a Rio gas station.
"I do not expect, no apologies from him or from the other athletes are needed," said Andrada.
"We need to understand that these kids were trying to have fun. They came here, they represented their country to the best of their abilities. They trained for at least four years and they competed under gigantic pressure," the spokesman added.
Lochte, 32, has won six Olympic gold medals, including his victory with the U.S.'s 4x200m freestyle relay team in Rio.
