What We Can Learn From The Ryan Lochte Incident

Four Olympic U.S. swimmers, Ryan Lochte, Jack Conger, Jimmy Feigen and Gunnar Bentz claimed they were robbed at gunpoint while in Brazil. Questions about the robbery began to arise after this interview between NBC’s Billy Bush and Ryan Lochte. His overly calm demeanor was questioned.

Brazilian authorities found the story to be “fishy” and later requested the seizure of all 4 swimmers passports. Lochte had already landed back in the U.S. when the request was made. Conger, Feigen and Bentz were detained in Brazil. Now it has come out that all 4 members of the U.S. swim team lied about the robbery. Below is the video footage from the gas station.

I don’t need to point out the obvious; this is awful. There is something to be learned from this. Crisis management is needed BEFORE a crisis ensues. Athletes and artists need a crisis manager on their staff or on retainer and need to meet with the crisis manager periodically. This is most important before they leave the U.S. to embark on tours or games such as the Olympics. There is a certain degree of entitlement that the U.S. tolerates that other countries do not. Athletes and artists need to understand and RESPECT the laws and customs that govern those countries and act accordingly. Calling in a crisis manager to handle this case at this point is almost useless, all you are trying to do is save face with your sponsors. It will do little to rehabilitate the athlete.