US swimmer Ryan Lochte charged by Brazilian police

Police in Brazil have charged US Olympic swimming star Ryan Lochte with filing a false robbery report over an incident during the Rio Games.

A police statement said Lochte would be informed in the US so he could decide whether to introduce a defence in Brazil.

The indictment will be sent to the International Olympic Committee’s ethics commission.

Lochte initially said that he and fellow swimmers Jack Conger, Gunnar Bentz and Jimmy Feigen were robbed at gunpoint in a taxi by men with a police badge as they returned to the Olympic Village from a party.

But video footage suggested the four actually faced security guards after vandalising a petrol station toilet.

Lochte has since acknowledged he was highly intoxicated and his behaviour led to the confrontation.

PA