Ryan Lochte has publicly addressed the ongoing fallout from his divorce from Kayla Lochte, particularly her recent social media post featuring their wedding vows. In a statement shared on his Instagram account on December 18, the former Olympic swimmer emphasized the personal challenges he faces while navigating the public eye.
Lochte, 41, reiterated his previous comments about their marriage, stating that he “barely knew” Kayla when they wed. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to clarify his feelings, acknowledging the backlash he has received. “Navigating personal challenges in public can be incredibly tough,” he wrote. “I want to express that my intention was never to hurt anyone but to share my honest feelings.”
As the couple’s divorce proceedings continue, Lochte emphasized the importance of keeping aspects of their situation private, especially for the sake of their children. They share three kids: son Caiden Zane, 8, and daughters Liv Rae, 6, and Georgia June, 2. He acknowledged Kayla’s decision to post their vows to celebrate what they once shared, while maintaining his belief that they did not fully know each other at the time of their marriage.
Lochte admitted that he has made mistakes during their union and credited professional help for his personal growth. “Therapy has been a transformative journey for me, helping me uncover insights about myself that I previously overlooked,” he noted. He expressed remorse for any disappointment caused to those in his life, particularly to Kayla. “I would be lying if I said I was a good husband. I wasn’t. I’m committed to working on myself every day.”
The divorce, which Kayla initiated in March, has been publicly scrutinized, particularly concerning the financial challenges the couple faces. In his statement, Lochte addressed his decision to sell his Olympic medals, clarifying that his motivations were not purely financial. “I never swam for the gold medals. My passion has always been about being one of the best swimmers in the world,” he explained.
With a total of 90 international medals, including Olympic and world championship titles, Lochte emphasized that his achievements were not solely defined by these awards. “Those medals? They were just the cherry on top of an incredible journey,” he wrote. He reflected on the joy he found in sharing his accomplishments with fans and aspiring young athletes, stating, “It’s never been just about me. It’s about inspiring the next generation.”
Kayla Lochte had previously posted a video of their wedding vows from 2018 on December 11, coinciding with news of Ryan’s plans to publish a tell-all memoir. In her post, she described the challenges of navigating divorce and her journey of self-discovery. “I’m using this season to rebuild, rediscover who I am, and chase my dreams with clarity and courage,” she wrote on October 24.
As the public continues to follow their story, both Ryan and Kayla Lochte are focused on their individual paths while co-parenting their children amidst a complex divorce.
