University Of Texas Swimmer Detained In Brazil Over Mugging Story Inconsistencies

AUSTIN, TX — University of Texas senior Jack Conger, who won gold at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics relays with the rest of his swimming team, was detained Wednesday in Brazil as authorities try to determine if he and his teammates were mugged, as they claim.

According to various media reports including CNN, police removed Conger and fellow swimmer Gunnar Bentz from an airplane as they attempted to return to the U.S. The whereabouts of a third athlete — former University of Texas standout Jimmy Feigen — was unknown, although it's believed he's still in Rio.

The most famous member of the team, Ryan Lochte, has since returned home.

Conger's detention stems from Lochte's previous claim that the four athletes were robbed following a party early Sunday morning. Lochte is the only one among the four swimmers who has spoken publicly of the alleged mugging, saying people wearing police uniforms held them at gunpoint demanding money.

But surveillance footage has emerged showing the four athletes returning to the Olympic village after a night of celebration for their gold medals — a return after the mugging would've taken place, given Lochte's version of events. Yet the video shows the four calm and even laughing — behavior incongruous to having just been mugged — with their valuables, including cell phones, intact.

Authorities in Brazil became suspicious of the mugging story's veracity, especially as Lochte's description of the incident has changed from his original report. One inconsistency is the brandishing of weapons; Lochte said a gun was put to his head by the supposed mugger, only to say later the weapon was pointed in his general direction.

Further details weren't available, and it's uncertain when Conger might be allowed to come back home. NBC News reported Conger and Bentz were taken to a police station for questioning, joined by a U.S. Consulate representative dispatched to assist them.