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Ryan Lochte News: ‘DWTS’ Rumors, New Endorsement Deal Make Headlines, But Will He Lose His Medals?

By Bradleigh Ann Walker
Published on: 05:14 PST, Aug 26, 2016

In the latest Ryan Lochte news, the athlete may be attempting to redeem himself, if the rumors circling among the media are any indication.

As you may know, the 32-year-old has landed in some seriously hot water after he claimed he was held up at gunpoint by men masquerading as police officers in Rio during the Olympics. Days later, it was revealed that he and three other members of the U.S. men’s swim team were caught on camera vandalizing a public restroom at the time of the alleged robbery.

As Ryan Lochte faces the consequences of his actions, sources now claim he’ll be using a popular television show in order to attempt redeeming himself.

According to Business Insider, an anonymous source from Dancing With The Stars told People magazine that Lochte has expressed interest in being a member of the reality show’s cast.

“Ryan has wanted to be on the show for years,” the source claimed. Another source said that the swimmer may even be a DWTS front-runner.

ABC is remaining tight-lipped about season 23’s cast, which is set to be announced on August 30 during Good Morning America. The network said they don’t “comment on casting rumors.”

If the rumors are true, it remains to be seen whether or not America will forget that Ryan Lochte completely embarrassed himself and his teammates during the final days of the Olympics.

Ryan Lochte has been news almost daily since, especially because his four sponsors dropped him after his lies were revealed, with Speedo USA and Ralph Lauren taking action first.

Oh, but that doesn’t mean that 12-time Olympic medalist’s days of sponsorship are entirely over. He’s landed a new endorsement deal in the wake of his scandal.

Pine Bros. Softish Throat Drops reached out to Ryan Lochte to offer him a new opportunity, according to E! Online. The company’s press release even implored American citizens to forgive Lochte for his mistakes.

“We all make mistakes, but they’re rarely given front-page scrutiny. He’s a great guy who has done incredible work with charities. I’m confident that Pine Bros. fans will support our decision to give Ryan a second chance,” Pine Bros. CEO Rider McDowell said. Ryan Lochte confirmed the deal himself on Instagram.

Pine Bros. may have Lochte’s back, and possibly even ABC as well, but that doesn’t mean Ryan Lochte’s old news to the authorities in Brazil or the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Since authorities in Rio officially decided yesterday (August 25) that they’ll be charging Lochte for falsely reporting a crime, as CNN reported, the swimmer may end up being stripped of his medals at some point in the future.

Reportedly, Lochte will be summoned to Rio as the investigation continues.

As Romper reports, the IOC can decide to strip Lochte of his medals, but the decision can also come from the chair of swimming. Most incidents of medal stripping in the past have been because an athlete was caught using performance enhancing drugs, but there have been other situations as well.

Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger, and James Feigen, the other swimmers who were present with Lochte that night, may also see their medals stripped if the IOC or swimming chair choose to do it.

With all of the Ryan Lochte news recently, and his apparent determination not to utter the words “I lied,” does he deserve to have his 12 medals taken away? His critics would reply to that with a resounding yes, but American does have a notoriously short memory when it comes to certain types of scandals.

One thing’s for sure. He still has a long road ahead, and the whole world is watching closely.

[Photo by Michael Sohn/AP Images]

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