Lochte, 3 teammates safe after armed robbery by individuals posing as police

U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte was indeed robbed early Sunday despite the IOC's initial denial that such an event occurred, the United States Olympic Committee confirmed.

"According to four members of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team (Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger, Jimmy Feigen and Ryan Lochte), they left France House early Sunday morning in a taxi headed for the Olympic Village. Their taxi was stopped by individuals posing as armed police officers who demanded the athletes' money and other personal belongings. All four athletes are safe and cooperating with authorities," the USOC said in a statement.

Ben Way of Australia's FOX Sports News was first to report the news. According to Way, Lochte was invited to the party by Brazilian swimmer Thiago Pereira.

The IOC initially denied the report, but now it appears the denial may have been based on bad information obtained from the United States Olympic Committee.

Lochte competed in two events in Rio, winning gold in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay.