Ryan Lochte Says Alleged Rio Bathroom Vandalism 'Never Happened' (Video)

Ryan Lochte admitted he made a “big mistake” in Rio during an appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Tuesday, but denied vandalizing a gas station bathroom and insisted his only offense was tearing up a poster.

“I don’t know if I would consider it a robbery or extortion, or us just paying up for the poster I ripped,” Lochte told Amy Robach during his first live interview since the Olympics ended. “Other people have been finding out, investigating it, there was no damage to the bathroom. I never even entered the bathroom. It was locked, so we couldn’t go in there at all, so, it never happened.”

“Like I said, I did lie about that one part,” Lochte said, referring to his claim that a gun was held to his head. “I take full responsibility. I’m human. I made a mistake. A very big mistake.”

Also Read: Zac Efron's 'Baywatch' Character Is Basically Ryan Lochte (Exclusive)

Lochte was dropped by four sponsors since he claimed to have been held up at gunpoint during the Rio Olympics, a scandal that also implicated three of his U.S. Swimming teammates. However, Lochte said everyone is “blowing this way out of proportion.”

Brazilian police said Lochte’s story was a fabrication and the swimmers were not robbed. The police claim they vandalized a gas station bathroom and were confronted by armed security guards. Lochte has been charged with making a false police report.

Also Read: Ryan Lochte Officially Charged by Rio Police for Making False Robbery Report

“It’s something that I learned from and I know that will never happen again,” he told Robach.

Lochte wants to move forward and used his appearance on ABC to officially announce that he’ll appear on the upcoming season of “Dancing with the Stars.”

Also Read: 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 23 Cast Revealed

“I’m never one to dwell on the past. I just want to move forward,” he said. “Everyone has got to be sick and tired about hearing about this. I just want to move forward.”

Watch the interview below.

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Stars at Rio Olympics Who Didn't Actually Compete, From Zac Efron to Leslie Jones (Photos)

Many actors and models flocked to Rio de Janeiro to support their teams in the 2016 Olympic Games.
Zac Efron

On Tuesday, four-time gold medal-winning gymnast Simone Biles finally met her crush. She shared several photos and even a video of the actor giving the star Olympian a quick kiss on the cheek. The actor also promised Biles' teammate Aly Raisman a pizza date.
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Gisele Bundchen

The supermodel stole the show at the opening ceremony as she took the final catwalk of her career and danced with people in the crowd.

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Matthew McConaughey

The "Free State of Jones" actor has been extremely supportive at games like swimming, beach volleyball and rugby. He also sent a congratulatory tweet to Michael Phelps.
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Boomer Phelps

The three-month-old son of Michael Phelps stole the show while his daddy was winning five gold medals in Rio. He also dressed in patriotic attire such as stars and stripes and, in between Phelps' wins, the star swimmer rushed to his son's side to shower him with kisses. Boomer's Instagram account has over a half-million followers.
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Leslie Jones

Draped in the American flag, Jones has been cheering for U.S.A. with passionate patriotism that NBC — the official network that’s airing the Rio games — couldn’t help but notice. She was then enlisted by the network to cover the Games in Rio. The "Ghostbusters" actress has since been live-tweeting almost all events.
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Adriana Lima

The supermodel carried the Olympic torch through the streets of Rio during the Opening Ceremony.

"I am grateful to experience this incredible honor and dream to carry the Olympic torch, so humbled to be carrying in my home country," she wrote on Instagram.
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Alessandra Ambrosio

Both Ambrosio and Lima were announced as NBC's food and culture correspondents for the Olympics in July. Ambrosio's Instagram is full of pictures all-things Olympic Games.
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Eddie Redmayne

The "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" actor flew to Brazil as a brand ambassador for Omega watches. He has also been taking tons of photos with athletes, like British politician and former track and field athlete, Sebastian Coe.
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Gigi Hadid

The model declared her support on Instagram, posting a photo from her Vogue cover shoot with decathlete Ashton Eaton.

"Wishing my @voguemagazine cover bud, Ashton @weareeaton, and all my @TEAMUSA friends an incredible, safe, and successful Olympic Games!!" she wrote.
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