We all know that the reason Lochte, Bentz Conger, and Feigan were defended for vandalizing a gas station and lying about it is because they are well known, white, and important Olympic athletes. The most noteworthy aspect of #LochteGate is the fact that this pattern of response is not surprising from U.S. mainstream media.
For example, in an alert I received from news outlet CNN on my phone, the headline doesn't even mention the names of the swimmers or the most noteworthy, and now infamous, swimmer, Ryan Lochte. This small anomaly you may not have picked up on is the key problem. We are so willing to cover up for beloved swimmers (i.e. Brock Turner) and others of fame, influence, or even pale skin tones, whereas others with less influence or even more pigment have no benefit of such disclosure and gentle forgiveness.
While 32-year old Lochte, 21-year old Conger, 20-year old Bentz and 26-year old Feigan can vandalize a gas station and be waved aside as just "kids" messing around, Gabby Douglas can't even just be at the gymnastics events without being attacked on social media. Ridiculous tweets condemn her for crying, not smiling enough, and other cosmetic things with no reason or provocation other than baseless assumptions. In addition a more serious debate came up following the medal ceremony of the team competition simply because Gabby Douglas did not place her hand on her heart during the national anthem. Where an Olympic Spokesperson spoke out defending Lochte on Twitter, no such person came to the defense of USA gymnastics hero Gabby Douglas, accused of disrespecting her country for far less. Granted, these are different situations, but if Olympic swimmers urinating on a gas station and then defaming Rio deserve defense, then Douglas's situation deserves at least as much attention. While an Olympic spokesperson rushed to Lochte and co.'s defense, Gabby was left without this support when arguably she did nothing wrong.
Another problem here is that Lochte, Conger, Bentz and Feigan fabricated a massive lie that spread all over the world, further defaming Rio after many other reports of questionable circumstances. The fact that these four went along with the story despite the heavy consequences is not at all acceptable, particularly given their ages and stature as Olympic athletes representing the United States. This is why Americans have the reputation of being ignorant and entitled. Because of situations like these. It's because of things like this that (I dearly hope) misrepresent the majority of us on an international level. These swimmers did not just vandalize a gas station, they spit in the face of a nation.
Despite all this, it is incredibly relieving to see the outrage Lochte Gate has caused. I've found so many more responses condemning the swimmers' behavior than those defending it, and still more responses shutting down the Olympic spokesperson's inappropriate tweet. Hopefully our collective disapproval and outcries can actually spark a change in those who accept these events purely as "kids" having "fun."
