The U.S. State Department is "assisting in the investigation" into the incident involving four U.S. swimmers, including Ryan Lochte, being robbed at gunpoint early Sunday morning in Rio, according to ABC's Matt Gutman. Lochte and his teammates -- Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen -- "had apparently been partying" at the France House in Rio when they were pulled over by thieves impersonating police officers. With the "security situation here unlikely to improve" before the end of the Games, the USOC is "reiterating its security protocols to American athletes, reminding them it's probably not a good idea to take a local taxi at 4:00 in the morning” (“World News Tonight,” ABC, 8/14). Meanwhile, Gutman this morning reports local police in a statement claim the four swimmers "were so drunk that they couldn’t give a coherent description of their assailants or their getaway car." Olympic officials also suggested that Lochte "misled them -- at least initially -- about what really happened" ("GMA,” ABC, 8/15). CBS’ Ben Tracy notes this is "just the kind of thing that Olympic officials have been worried about." Since the Games began, some athletes and coaches from other countries "have been robbed at knife or gunpoint here in Rio." But this is the "first time we’ve heard of it happening to American athletes.” The USOC is "reiterating their security protocols with all American athletes." Tracy: "But when we asked what those protocols are and if going out at night without security would violate them, they told us they don’t discuss security issues” (“CBS This Morning,” 8/15). CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin asked several U.S. Olympians if they were “going to change your security protocols, are you going to change how people are operating around here, and everybody said no." He added there "seemed to be an implied suggestion" that the four swimmers may not have been following security protocols (“Squawk Box,” CNBC, 8/15).
CHANGING THEIR STORIES: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Connors & Bachman report an initial report about the robbery initially yesterday "was denied" by IOC Dir of Communications Mark Adams, who "later reversed course." Adams later in the day said that the USOC "sent him a short statement" in the morning saying that the "incident hadn't happened but later corrected it." A source said that as of yesterday afternoon, ROCOG security officials had "doubts about whether the incident had occurred as described" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/15). In N.Y., Ruiz & Mather note Adams claimed that "reports of the robbery were 'absolutely not true,' citing information that had been provided" by the USOC. After Ileana Lochte, Ryan's mother, made a "statement that her son had indeed been robbed," Adams noted that he had "simply passed along information from the American Olympic officials" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/15). In Boston, Emily McCarthy notes Ileana Lochte told USA Today the story "was true." Then David Marsh, Lochte's personal coach and head coach for the U.S. women's swim team, reportedly "texted USA Today and said it wasn't true" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/15). THE RINGER's Katie Baker noted the intrigue added to this ordeal was "the way the story broke, with false denials from the IOC." Baker: "For those who have been critical of the organization's every move, it was one more mistake to add to a long list. ... It's tough not to cynically wonder if there was a failed attempt to sweep this all under the rug" (THERINGER.com, 8/14).
SAFETY FIRST: In Brisbane, Todd Balym reports Team Australian athletes have been "banned from tourist hotspots Copacabana and Ipanema beach after dark and urged to avoid nightclubs in those areas" following the U.S. swimmers' robbery. Australia Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller said that AOC officials had "increased their security protocols to ensure the safety of all athletes for the remainder of the Games." Chiller added that they had "increased their own protocols in response to increased criminal activity including never wearing team uniform when they're on 'recreation' leave." Australian swimmer Mitch Larkin said that it was "disappointing athletes couldn't freely experience all that Rio has to offer, but understood the reasoning behind the decision" (Brisbane COURIER-MAIL, 8/15). USA TODAY's Auerbach & Axon note other U.S. swimmers are "not changing their post-competition plans" following yesterday's events. Swimmer Nathan Adrian said, "There are going to be problems anywhere you go. We have been briefed about how to mitigate those risks as well as possible" (USA TODAY, 8/15).
NOT A GREAT LOOK: USA TODAY's Christine Brennan writes under the header, "Robbery Puts Games On Edge." Brennan: "A week of conversation about green pool water and lost buses seemed almost quaint compared to what was now going to come: Serious concern for the thousands of athletes, their events complete, who are going to tour and celebrate in a city of 6.5 million in which indiscriminate street crime is the stuff of legend" (USA TODAY, 8/15). In K.C., Vahe Gregorian notes this "all along was the single-most precarious aspect of having the Games" in Rio. Gregorian: "It's Rio's ability to assure safety in the routine that's now in deeper doubt than ever despite its stated security force of 85,000 military and police" (K.C. STAR, 8/15). ABC's Gutman said this is the "latest black eye for the Olympic organizers, who guaranteed the safety of athletes." He noted there are "incidents occurring almost daily here" ("World News Tonight," ABC, 8/14). The N.Y. TIMES' Ruiz & Mather note crimes have "occurred more frequently than at other recent Olympics" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/15). In Chicago, Rick Morrissey notes "some of the fears about Rio are coming true." Morrissey: "Lesson: Don't judge an Olympics by the cover of the Olympic Park" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/15).
HISTORICALLY BAD: In L.A., Fenno & Wharton note historian and author David Wallechinsky linked these Games to "two of the most dismal Olympics in recent memory." Wallechinsky said, "I compare it to the worst of Athens and the worst of Atlanta, with a crime problem thrown in. ... The organization leaves a lot to be desired, to say the least" (L.A. TIMES, 8/15). Also in L.A., John Cherwa wrote, "It can officially be said: The Rio Games are the worst managed of any Games in our lifetime." Atlanta previously "held the 'worst' distinction" (L.A. TIMES, 8/14).
