Ryan Lochte apologises for false claims of armed robbery

US Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte has apologised for his behaviour surrounding a late-night incident at a Rio de Janeiro petrol station, saying he should have been more “careful and candid” about how he described what happened.

Lochte said in a lengthy post on Instagram that he was apologising for his role in taking the focus away from other Olympic athletes.

The 12-time gold medallist reiterated his view that a stranger pointed a gun at him and demanded money to let him leave.