Take, for example Ryan Lochte of the US swimming team, who claimed that he and his colleagues – Jack Conger, Gunnar Bentz and James Feigen – were robbed by men claiming to be police officers.
The story turned out to be pure fabrication, an apparent attempt to cover up an unpleasant incident when the swimmers broke a door at a gas station restroom and had to pay for the damage.
Even though the swimmer already apologized for the altercation and for his behavior, the public is unlikely to forget his shenanigans anytime soon.
"Swimmer Ryan Lochte posted an apology" (the caption on the banner says "Sorry, I was high")
O nadador Ryan Lochte publicou um pedido de desculpas sobre o caso: https://t.co/3FbU4bamh7 pic.twitter.com/Tn3nAqiuGM
— VICE BRASIL (@VICEBRASIL) 19 августа 2016 г.
"This swimmer Ryan Lochte looks just like the Penguin from the Gotham series. What do you think? High and constantly changing his story."
Esse nadador Ryan Lochte é a cara do Pinguim da série Gotham. O que acham? Tá doidão mudando as versões do ocorrido. pic.twitter.com/1gRbGgMKFA
— Daniel Possari (@danielpossari) 18 августа 2016 г.
Another US athlete, a female soccer player named Hope Solo, also managed to alienate the local audience thanks to a somewhat tasteless joke she made at their expense.
The athlete provoked the Brazilian fans’ ire back in July by posting several photos of herself on Twitter using hashtag #zikaproof and detailing her apparent preparations for her upcoming foray into the country, which is dealing with a massive Zika virus outbreak.
During every soccer match that Solo took part in, every time that she touched the ball, the incensed fans yelled "Zeeee-kaaaaaa!"
"Hope Solo keeps disgracing herself"
Hope Solo não cansa de pagar mico https://t.co/mjLp3HweyA
— nise (@nisemary_) 13 августа 2016 г.
"The videos of the crowd screaming 'Zika' at Hope Solo are so funny. Poor dear, I like her, but she disgraced herself."
mano os video da torcida gritando zika pra hope solo sao mt engracados coitada dela eu gosto dela mas sao tantos mico
— sabrina (@ikonluxo) 7 августа 2016 г.
And while the French pole vault athlete Renaud Lavillenie might have a good reason to be upset after he got booed by local fans when unsuccessfully attempting to beat the results of his Brazilian rival Thiago Braz da Silva, his subsequent emotional outburst, as he even compared the treatment he received to that of Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, was apparently considered beyond the pale by the locals.
"You know that French pole vaulter? Today Renaud Lavillenie got booed once again at the podium and he cried."
Sabe o francês do salto com vara? No pódio de hoje, Renaud Lavillenie foi vaiado novamente e chorou.
— Moments Brasil (@momentsbrasil) 17 августа 2016 г.
No #Moments⚡️https://t.co/6GR5UR25f0
"Even the French newspaper Le Monde pulled no punches at Renaud Lavillenie, calling him a sore loser."
Nem mesmo o jornal francês Le Monde perdoou e detonou Renaud Lavillenie, chamando-o de mau perdedor. pic.twitter.com/OnY5IRwqI3
— BRASIL EM FOTOS (@brasil_fotos) 18 августа 2016 г.
However, athletes weren’t the only ones who made fools themselves during the Olympics. Prior to the beginning of the games, when members of the Australian team complained about the living conditions at the Olympic village, Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes offered them a kangaroo to make them feel more comfortable.
Team Australia says the #OlympicVillage is uninhabitable. Mayor of Rio responded with "would you like a kangaroo?" pic.twitter.com/bPYRz3USql
— Russell (@russellchau) 25 июля 2016 г.
Aussies athletes refuse to move into Olympic village over safety concerns. Rio mayor offers a kangaroo, Aussies say they prefer plumber
— Mike Amor (@mikeamor7) 24 июля 2016 г.
And while athletes complained about conditions at the Olympic village, the locals took that opportunity to make snide remarks about the poor environmental situation at Guanabara Bay.
"Guanabara Bay is furnished better than the Olympic village, it got sofas and fridges."
A Baia de Guanabara está mais bem equipada do que os quartos da Vila Olímpica tem até sofá e geladeira!#rio2016 @Rio2016 #naoqueremoscanguru
— Sergio Sevilhano (@sergiosevilhano) 2 августа 2016 г.
Will this list increase by the end of the Rio Olympics? Only time will tell.
