Once thought to be the heir apparent to Michael Phelps’ Olympic throne, the American swimmer Ryan Lochte has been reduced to a punchline.  After a series of unfortunate events in the Rio Olympics this summer, Lochte’s name is duller than ever, and it came to a head this past week during his debut on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars.

Rio 2016, American swimmer Ryan Lochte garners a mere 1 medal in the summer games.  After failing to live up to expectations, the American was involved in an incident that he and three fellow Americans claimed was a robbery at gunpoint.  Giving a story that ended up being fabricated, Lochte cast a shadow of disgust over Americans in Brazil. The sizzle that he once possessed was gone, and in souring his own name, Lochte took the Olympic glory of our country down in flames with no remorse.  Following his admittance of the truth, the U.S. Olympic Committee banned Lochte for ten months.  Along with this disciplinary measure, the swimmer lost four major endorsements from brands including Speedo and Ralph Lauren.

What does a former Olympian do to drag his name out of the dirt?  Join Dancing With the Stars.

On the night of the premier, Lochte was scheduled to close the show.  During the judges’ critique, two gentlemen donning anti-Lochte shirts rushed the stage, setting the internet on fire.  Security tackled these men on live television and the former golden boy was the center of attention once again.  Uneasiness flowed throughout the auditorium as the men –and shortly thereafter four women wearing the same shirts–were removed from the premises.

‘DWTS’ Addressing Security Procedures After Protest. Digital Image. Sep 14, 2016, 11:20 AM ET.web. Abcnews.go.com

Americans sent streams of pity and all of a sudden he could do no wrong.  Remember what he did this past summer?  Vandalizing a gas station and leaving a tarnish on the name of our country?  Apparently not.

Upon the release of the two men from jail, they revealed their motives for causing such a scene on national television.  According to Barzeen Soroudi, one of the men who happened to be in Brazil for the 2016 games, “We didn’t, obviously, agree with Walt Disney Company choosing Lochte to represent Americans.  Yes, he did receive gold medals but what he did in Rio did not represent Americans well.”  

These men did not want to harm the man, or at least it does not seem, but rather remind our country of the damage his actions caused.  For the two protesters, the backlash felt from Lochte’s careless actions was felt firsthand.  Said Soroudi, “. . .once Lochte did what he did, embarrassed Americans, lied to Brazil. . . the climate changed.  So all the sudden, Americans became targets in Rio.  The Brazilians obviously felt insulted and it became very difficult for many Americans there.”

Why should someone who seemingly doesn’t care about representing our country be cast as a centerpiece on a hit show?  Although the two men are not expected to receive any support, they sent a harsh reminder: Ryan Lochte is not a poster boy.