Posted: October 12, 2015
By Cox Media Group National Content Desk
A Brazilian judge has ordered two American Olympic athletes to surrender their passports as authorities investigate a claim that they were robbed at gunpoint by people posing as police officers during the Rio Olympic Games.
>> UPDATE: Brazil pulls 2 of Ryan Lochte's teammates off plane amid robbery probe
The office of Judge Keylan Blank confirmed to The Associated Press that swimmers Ryan Lochte and James Feigen were to have their passports seized. However, Lochte's father told the wire service his son had returned to the United States before the order was issued.
It was not clear if Feigen remained in the country.
Patrick Sandusky, chief external affairs officer for the U.S. Olympic Committee, said officers asked to meet with the swimmers Wednesday morning to get their passports.
>> For complete Olympic coverage, click here
“The swim team moved out of the (Olympic) Village after their competition ended, so we were not able to make the athletes available,” Sandisky said. “Additionally, as part of our standard security protocol, we do not make athlete travel plans public and therefore cannot confirm the athletes’ current location. We will continue to cooperate with Brazilian authorities.”
Four members of the U.S. Olympics Swimming Team – Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger, Feigen and Lochte – said they were robbed Sunday as they took a taxi from France House to the Olympic Village, the Olympic Committee said.
>> Related: Ryan Lochte among swimmers robbed at gunpoint by men posing as police
“Their taxi was stopped by individuals posing as armed police officers who demanded the athletes' money and other personal belongings,” the Committee said in a statement. “All four athletes are safe and cooperating with authorities.”
A police official told The Associated Press authorities have not been able to verify that the robbery took place. Speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation, the officials said police have been unable to find witnesses or the swimmers' taxi driver.
Folks walking along the beach in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, found a companion out enjoying the sun and surf: a 4-foot alligator.
Sharon Martin told The Sun News that she and a friend were taking their daily walk along the beach on Monday evening when the gator came walking out of the ocean.
They called 911 and emergency crews were dispatched. But after a short time lounging on the beach, the alligator headed back to the surf on its own.
The animal was spotted later in the evening and was eventually captured and released into a safe place.
No one was injured, but Martin said she had never seen anything like it and that it was pretty frightening to see an alligator coming out of the surf.
Athletes being robbed, pools turning green -- the 2016 Olympic Games certainly haven't been a walk in the park.
But now, Olympic officials are dealing with another issue: a shortage of volunteers.
>> Read more trending stories
Jamaica’s Usain Bolt will compete tonight in the 200-meter semifinal in the 2016 Olympics.
Bolt, who says the race is his favorite, is set to run around 9:06 p.m. He won the Men’s 100-meter sprint on Sunday, beating American Justin Gatlin.
The United States has won 84 medals as of Wednesday morning - 28 Golds; 28 Silver and 28 Bronze.
Here's more on Usain Bolt:
> Usain Bolt has never run a full mile
> Ellen DeGeneres faces backlash for 'racist' Usain Bolt tweet
You're Almost Done!
Select a display name and password
{* #socialRegistrationForm *}Tell us about yourself