Ryan Lochte Has Reportedly Been Suspended for 10 Months

The U.S. Olympic Committee suspends Ryan Lochte for 10 months.

Ryan Lochte signs new endorsement deal with Pine Brothers.
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Ryan Lochte signs new endorsement deal with Pine Brothers.

Ryan Lochte has been suspended by the United States Olympic Committee for 10 months, according to TMZ Sports. The punishment was reportedly handed down by the USOC, in conjunction with the International Olympic Committee and USA Swimming. While the suspension is a lengthy one, the USOC could've definitely come down harder on Lochte, potentially delivering a lifetime ban for his actions during the Olympics in Rio

However, the lengthy apology issued by Lochte through his Instagram account may have saved him from receiving a stiffer penalty. USA Swimming and the USOC want their athletes to "properly represent their country," and avoid being caught up in negative headlines that could draw attention away from what they are doing in their respective sports.

Once it was revealed that Lochte, along with teammates Gunnar Bentz, Jimmy Feigen and Jack Conger, lied about being held up and robbed at gunpoint at a gas station in Rio, the media immediately focused on these four swimmers instead of what was currently going on in the Games. With that being said, TMZ Sports is reporting that "some of the USOC decision makers" believed that the punishment ultimately handed down to the Rochester, N.Y. native was "too severe." During his time away from the pool, Lochte will compete in the 23rd season of Dancing With the Stars.  

As for the fate of Lochte's teammates—Bentz, Feigen, and Conger—each person will be suspended with one of them receiving a four-month ban, perTMZ Sports.

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