A Viral TikTok With Swimmer Ryan Lochte Just Revealed One US Olympics Rule That’s Way Different From Other Countries

A Viral TikTok With Swimmer Ryan Lochte Just Revealed One US Olympics Rule That's Way Different From Other Countries

As a seasoned gamer and sports enthusiast with a penchant for international competitions, I find myself constantly amazed by the intricacies that govern these grand events. The recent revelation from Ryan Lochte about the unique rules for US Olympic swimmers has certainly piqued my interest.


The Olympic fervor continues to sweep across the globe, as numerous events leading up to the 2024 Paris Olympics (accessible via streaming platforms worldwide) are yet to conclude. Consequently, several athletes such as Simone Biles, who gained fame through Netflix documentaries, remain in the Olympic Village. However, a popular TikTok featuring swimmer Ryan Lochte has shed light on one rule unique to the US Olympics, particularly for the swimming team compared to other nations.

What Did Ryan Lochte Say About How US Olympic Rules Differ From Other Countries?

Ryan Lochte, who debuted as an Olympian in the 2004 Athens games and continued competing until the 2016 Rio games, has a deep understanding of the rules and guidelines that Olympic athletes must adhere to. During a recent Q&A on TikTok with his wife, Kayla, he was asked about his earlier statement claiming that Olympians cannot leave the Village, as he’s noticed some athletes doing so. Ryan clarified that while there may be exceptions, strict rules usually apply to prevent athlete departures from the Village.

Swimmers from the USA are not allowed, as per the rules for them. To be exempted, approval must be granted by the head coach first.

To clarify, Lochte, who created a stir during the 2016 Rio Olympics, stated that it’s irrelevant whether athletes from other countries or even fellow Team USA athletes were roaming freely in Paris during the games. It seems that the U.S. swim team doesn’t tolerate such behavior, and athletes can only leave the Village (even to meet with non-Olympian friends or family) if they have explicit permission from their head coach.

Speaking with people at the beginning of the games, Team USA’s Olympic Village Director, Daniel Smith, confirmed that while all nations must adhere to fundamental rules (such as no weapons being permitted), there are also unique regulations enforced by countries and sports to ensure safety and concentration within the Village. This is aimed at allowing everyone to perform optimally.

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The athlete also emphasized that they’re able to step outside the Village and encounter their loved ones in Paris city as family members aren’t given access, suggesting that the rule Lochte mentioned applies particularly to Olympic swimming (for those matches you can catch up on-demand), unless it extends to other sports as well.

It seems that it’s customary for individuals, particularly athletes like swimmers, not to depart their home country without receiving approval from an authorized official. On July 28th, Ana Carolina Vieira, a member of the Brazilian swim team, was asked to return early due to violating this rule by leaving her assigned accommodations in the Village without permission two nights earlier. As reported by E! News, she also displayed disrespectful and aggressive behavior during a competition when challenging a decision, which likely contributed to her removal from the games.

You can take a listen to Lochte’s full answer, below:

@kayla.lochte
♬ original sound – Kayla Lochte

While Smith didn’t explicitly mention that athletes should inform officials before leaving the Village, it appears prudent to do so. The purpose of the Village is to provide all necessary support for competitors to concentrate on their competition, and in case an athlete leaves without notice and a later need arises for them, it could create unnecessary stress or confusion that might have been prevented.

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2024-08-09 16:37