What are the Olympic Games without a little controversy? Swimmer and three-time Olympian Ryan Lochte provided enough drama to last a lifetime while competing in Rio- so much drama that, depending on who you talk to, it overshadowed not only his medal-winning performance, but his fellow teammates’ as well. Once it was discovered that Lochte’s claims of being robbed at gunpoint while out on the town with fellow teammates were false, it seemed as though things would get much worse for Lochte before they got better. But as it the case for many athletes and celebrities who find themselves in the midst of reputation damaging scandals, the 32-year-old may have already found the silver lining in his unfortunate and embarrassing situation, as surprising as that may sound.
Normally, when a huge celebrity or professional athlete finds him or herself in the middle of a scandal, a spokesperson will issue multiple statements to the media and to the public on their behalf. At this point, damage control is of the utmost importance and the highest priority. And, if they’re lucky, there will be some more newsworthy gossip or celebrity feud in Hollywood or in the professional athlete world that will hopefully take some of the attention away from their scandal.
Whether that all happens in a matter of days, weeks, or months is largely up to the celebrity in question. In Lochte’s case, it appeared that his situation would get much worse before it got better. But, even despite being formally charged with filing a false robbery report and being axed by his four major sponsors, Lochte seems to at least be keeping his head above water. Whether it’s because his head is full of air or he has a knack for making the most out of less than ideal situations is a story for another day.
Remember when Michael Phelps was sentenced to 18 months of probation and suspended for 6 months by USA Swimming for his second DUI arrest? The world seemed to have forgotten about his fall from grace up until the Lochte incident occurred. Then everyone was comparing whose offences were worse. We seem to suffer from short-term memory loss when a celebrity breaks the rules, even if it’s on multiple occasions. Once they’ve completed their apology tours and ride out their probation or suspensions or jail time, as long as they can stay out of the spotlight for just a few months, society is willing to at least quickly forget, and then eventually forgive.
Lochte’s best bet would be to lay low and stay out of the spotlight, but in true Ryan Lochte fashion, the Olympian has already signed an endorsement deal with Pine Bros Cough Drops and is rumored to have been chosen as a contestant on this upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars. It may be a futile attempt at to repair his image and win the hearts of Americans, or he could be banking on a large paycheck to compensate for the estimated $1 million in endorsements he’ll be losing. Lochte can only hope the endorsements keep coming while he competes with B and C list celebrities and dances his way to the coveted mirror ball trophy.
Phelps’ transgressions didn’t turn out to be career-ending, and he was able to come back better than ever to become the most decorated Olympian of all time. Lochte can learn a lot from his teammate and others who found themselves in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, but whether Lochte learns from his own personal mistake and displays true and sincere remorse plays a crucial role in his road to redemption.
