Ryan Lochte has publicly addressed the recent social media post by his estranged wife, Kayla Lochte, which featured their wedding vows. The swimmer took to Instagram on December 18, 2023, to clarify his previous comments about their relationship and to defend the decision to sell his Olympic medals during their ongoing divorce.
In his statement, the 41-year-old Lochte emphasized the difficulties of managing personal challenges in the public eye. He expressed gratitude for the chance to explain his recent remarks regarding Kayla, stating, “Navigating personal challenges in public can be incredibly tough… I understand my words have sparked a lot of backlash, and I want to express that my intention was never to hurt anyone but to share my honest feelings.”
Ryan reiterated his belief that he and Kayla, who is 34, did not fully know each other when they married. He acknowledged the shared love they had at the time and expressed appreciation for their three children: son Caiden Zane, 8, and daughters Liv Rae, 6, and Georgia June, 2. His remarks followed Kayla’s public sharing of their wedding vows, which she posted in response to Ryan’s forthcoming memoir.
In his message, Ryan admitted that his behavior during their marriage was not always ideal. He credited therapy for helping him work on personal issues and stated, “Therapy has been a transformative journey for me, helping me uncover insights about myself that I previously overlooked.” He expressed regret for any disappointment he caused, particularly to Kayla, saying, “I would be lying if I said I was a good husband. I wasn’t. I’m committed to working on myself every day.”
Clarifying the Sale of Olympic Medals
Ryan Lochte also addressed the matter of selling his Olympic medals, a decision that has sparked questions amid financial difficulties experienced by the former couple. He explained that his motivations for swimming were never centered around the accolades, stating, “I never swam for the gold medals. My passion has always been about being one of the best swimmers in the world.” With a collection of 90 international medals, including those from the Olympics and world championships, Lochte emphasized that the memories and connections made throughout his career are what he values most.
He noted that he has given away many medals to inspire young athletes, reinforcing that his journey has always been about motivating the next generation. “The memories, the hard work, and the connection with all of you are what I treasure the most,” he added.
Kayla Lochte had shared a video of their wedding vows on December 11, 2023, shortly after it was revealed that Ryan would publish a tell-all memoir. In her post, she reflected on the complexities of their divorce, writing, “I’m currently navigating a complex divorce, and let me tell you — divorce can feel like being frozen in time.” Kayla concluded that she is using this challenging period to rebuild and pursue her dreams.
As the situation continues to unfold, both Ryan and Kayla are focused on their respective journeys while co-parenting their children amidst the emotional challenges of their divorce.
