Conger apologizes, provides details of gas station incident

United States swimmer Jack Conger released a statement Saturday, apologizing for the gas station incident in Rio that has become its own international incident.

"I deeply regret the trouble and embarrassment this event has brought to the people of Brazil and Rio de Janeiro, and the distraction it has caused from the achievements of my fellow Olympians."

Conger, along with fellow U.S. swimmers Ryan Lochte, Gunnar Bentz, and James Feigen, were involved in an incident with security guards where guns were drawn. Originally reported as a robbery, the story changed a few days later as police investigated the matter.

While Lochte had already returned home before police could speak with him, Conger and Bentz were pulled off a plane as they tried to depart Rio and detained until they gave statements to police. Conger, Bentz, and Feigen were all eventually allowed to leave Brazil, with Feigen paying a fine.

In his statement, Conger clarifies that he was never considered a suspect and was only brought in as a witness by Brazilian police. He also offered up details on his version of events at the gas station.

Early Sunday morning I was with USA swimming teammates celebrating at the French House. Four of us took a taxi back to the Olympic Village, and on the way we pulled into a gas station to use the restroom, but ultimately relieved ourselves outside, for which I apologize. Ryan Lochte removed a poster from a nearby wall, which apparently alerted the gas station employees, leading to our being confronted by two armed security men. Although I cooperated with their requests while there was a heated exchange among others, at one point a weapon was pointed at me. Eventually, a man appeared who was able to translate for us, helping to defuse the situation. We paid some money to compensate them for the torn poster, and returned to the Village in a different taxi.

Conger's statement comes a day after Bentz released his own and the series of events described by the two is nearly identical.

The man who served as translator between the swimmers and the security guards told The Associated Press that he never saw a gun pointed at the athletes. However, the statements from both Conger and Bentz indicate guns were pointed in their direction prior to the arrival of the translator.

Lochte issued his own apology Friday, though it has been met with criticism for not going far enough. Feigen is the only swimmer involved to have not yet commented publicly.