IOC forms disciplinary commission to investigate Ryan Lochte, 3 teammates

ByABC News
August 19, 2016, 6:00 PM

— -- The International Olympic Committee has set up a disciplinary commission to investigate the incident involving Ryan Lochte and three of his U.S. swimming teammates at a Rio de Janeiro gas station.

IOC spokesman Mark Adams told The Associated Press the panel was formed Friday to look into the behavior of Lochte, Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen.

Adams had no other immediate details.

IOC disciplinary commissions have the power to issue sanctions, but it is an entity separate from the U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Swimming and FINA, the international governing body for swimming.

Lochte, a 12-time Olympic medalist, apologized Friday for his behavior surrounding the early-morning incident. He reiterated his view that a stranger pointed a gun at him and demanded money to let him leave the station.

Lochte had called it a gunpoint robbery; Brazilian police said he and the three other swimmers vandalized a bathroom while intoxicated and were confronted by armed security guards.

The USOC issued a statement Thursday night saying any potential punishment would happen once officials returned to the United States after the Rio Games.

"The behavior of these athletes is not acceptable, nor does it represent the values of Team USA or the conduct of the vast majority of its members," the USOC statement read. "We will further review the matter, and any potential consequences for the athletes, when we return to the United States."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.