Legendary American swimmer, 6-time Olympic champion and 39-time world champion, 41-year-old Ryan Lochte, who was once serving a suspension for violating anti-doping rules, sold three gold medals from the Games at the Goldin auction and earned more than $385,000, cllct.com reports.
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The most expensive medal sold for $183,000 was the American's gold medal in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay, won at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. This medal was probably worth more because the legendary Michael Phelps swam on that team.
Lochte's gold medal in the 4×200-meter relay at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens was sold for $80,520, and the “gold” in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro was sold for $122,000.
By the way, earlier, in 2022, Ryan sold bronze and silver medals from the Olympic Games for $166,000 (in total, he had six gold, three silver, and three bronze awards).
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The swimmer, who won at least one medal at each of his four Olympics (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016), responded to critics who condemned the sale of medals.
“I never competed for gold medals,” Ryan Lochte wrote on social media. “My passion has always been to be one of the best swimmers in the world. These medals? They were just the icing on the cake of an incredible journey. I was lucky enough to win 90 international medals, I achieved more than most swimmers. For me, the most important thing is what I achieved with their help: I gave medals to the fans and the children sitting in the stands, because it was not only about me, but also about inspiring the next generation and helping them achieve their dreams.”
By the way, the legendary athlete, after the end of his career, faced drug addiction, which he claims to have already overcome. The swimmer admitted that his drug problems began after a car accident in 2023. As a result of the accident, he broke his leg, underwent surgery, and then spent several months recovering. The injury caused depression, which led to drug addiction.
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Lochte's family was torn apart in large part by drug problems. Last year, his wife and mother of Ryan's three children (Kayla, 7, Liv, 4, and Georgia, 1) filed for divorce.
By the way, according to American media, the couple, who are still not divorced, have accumulated a debt of almost $300,000 to various creditors and government agencies, including the tax office and Shands University Hospital.
Previously, “FACTS” reported that all of the Games medals were stolen from the three-time Olympic champion.
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Photos from social networks