Ryan Lochte Shares His Reasons for Selling His Gold Medals and Reacts to Ex-Wife Kayla Sharing Their Wedding Vows

Ryan Lochte.
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Ryan Lochte/Instagram

NEED TO KNOW

• On December 10, Ryan Lochte announced his decision to sell three of his six Olympic gold medals.
• On December 18, he stated he “never swam for the gold medals,” emphasizing his identity as “one of the best swimmers in the world.”
• He also addressed ongoing social media exchanges with his estranged wife, Kayla Reid Lochte, amid their divorce proceedings.

Ryan Lochte, a celebrated Olympic swimmer, has clarified his motivations for selling three of his gold medals. In a video shared on December 10, Lochte announced that these medals, earned during the 2004, 2008, and 2016 Olympic Games, would be available for auction through the Goldin auction house.

Follow-up comments on December 18 revealed Lochte’s perspective on his decision. “I never swam for the gold medals,” he remarked, expressing that his focus had always been on excellence in swimming. “Those medals? They were just the cherry on top of an incredible journey,” he added.

Ryan Lochte on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Harry How/Getty

Throughout his career, Lochte has amassed a total of 90 international medals, including those from the Olympics and various world championships. “I’ve been fortunate to achieve more than any swimmer out there,” he remarked. “But what means the most to me is what I’ve done with them; I’ve given away medals to fans and young kids in the stands, because it’s never been just about me.”

Lochte expressed a desire to inspire future generations while helping others chase their dreams. “What I treasure the most are the memories, the hard work, and the connection,” he noted.

In the midst of the ongoing public discourse surrounding his divorce from Kayla, Lochte reflected on recent social media interactions between them. He indicated that he had been compelled to address his feelings, sharing insights from an upcoming memoir. “Every day, I woke up to be belittled and reminded of my constant failures,” he wrote, describing his challenging experiences, including being “eventually kicked out of our family home.”

Kayla Rae Reid Lochte and Ryan Lochte.

Phillip Faraone/Getty; Harry How/Getty

Following Lochte’s auction announcement, Kayla shared a video from their wedding day, captioned “Sharing a special reminder,” which further fueled public interest in their relationship. In response, Lochte acknowledged the challenges of navigating personal issues in a public forum.

He sought to clarify his earlier statements about Kayla, recognizing the backlash they provoked. “I understand that my words have sparked a lot of backlash, and I want to express that my intention was never to hurt anyone,” he stated, adding that he is keeping certain aspects of their lives private to protect their children: Caiden Zane, 8, Liv Rae, 6, and Georgia June, 2.

Lochte emphasized his respect for their past, stating, “I am very thankful for our three children and the love we shared at that time.” He has described therapy as transformative in his journey to move on from the past and improve himself.

Expressing remorse for any hurt he has caused, Lochte concluded his statement by asking for “understanding and grace” as he navigates this complex situation, indicating a desire to keep his family’s matters private moving forward.