Michael Phelps reacts to Ryan Lochte robbery in Rio

As news surfaced of the robbery of four U.S. Olympic swimmers in Rio, their most high-profile teammate, Michael Phelps, was among those who were shocked.

In an interview with The Sporting News, 23-time gold medalist Michael Phelps said he was in disbelief as to what occurred to Ryan Lochte, Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen, who were all robbed at gunpoint in a taxi cab upon leaving a nightclub early Sunday morning.

“I kind of said, ‘Excuse me?’ I couldn’t believe it,” said Phelps, who was back in his room at the Olympic Village with his fiance and son at the time. “I was dead asleep.”

Phelps said he was especially astonished by the incident because of how safe he has felt with the level of security during his time in at the Olympics thus far. In fact, he has frequented that particular area (The France House) where the robbery occurred many times and had no issues with crime.

“USA Swimming is always making sure we are always as protected as we can be,” Phelps said. “Just precautionary measures. For me, I have been to Brazil multiple times, and I’ve felt safe every time I’ve come here. I’ve never felt an issue.”

However, security leading up to and during the event has been a hot topic issue, as more crime has occurred at the Rio Games than at any other Olympics in recent memory.

On the night of the opening ceremonies, the chief of security was mugged at knife point. Two coaches for Australia’s rowing team were attacked and robbed, while others were robbed of their belongings in the athletes’ village during a fire drill. Bullets have landed in the equestrian venue, and a bus carrying members of the news media was attacked, its windows shattered.

The influx of danger has been pinpointed to Brazil’s economic crisis, which has been getting increasingly worse, resulting in deepening unemployment and poverty rates.

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