Scandal-hit swimmer Ryan Lochte has admitted he "over-exaggerated" his story about being robbed in Rio, as he made a grovelling apology to Olympics host Brazil.
In an interview with the country's largest broadcaster, the US gold-winner said he was "110%" sorry and blamed his immaturity for causing "all this ruckus".
But - speaking to TV Globo - Lochte insisted he "wasn't lying to a certain extent" and claimed he had been a victim of extortion because he was forced by armed guards to hand over money.
In a separate interview with NBC, Lochte also apologised to his swimming teammates, Jimmy Feigen, 26, Jack Conger, 21, and Gunnar Bentz, 20, who police stopped from leaving Brazil over the incident.
Jack Conger (L) and Gunnar Bentz were with Lochte when the altercation took place
They would not have been in "this mess" if it had not been for his "immature behaviour", he admitted.
Lochte, 32, had initially claimed they had been pulled over by gunmen posing as police who then robbed them.
However, the group faced an angry backlash after police accused Lochte of fabricating the story to cover up vandalising a petrol station toilet.
His account was also contradicted by Bentz, who said Lochte had played a key role in the altercation, pulling down a metal advertisement and arguing with armed security guards.
Bentz said they had been confronted after they urinated behind some bushes near the petrol station.
In his interview with Brazilian television, Lochte said: "I over-exaggerated the story. Brazil doesn't deserve that."
He added: "To the gas station owner, to the Brazilian police, to the people of Rio and to the people of Brazil and everyone who came together to put on these wonderful Games, I want to say that I am truly, 110% - I am sorry.
"It won't happen again. I have learned from it.
"And I'm sorry that my immaturity caused all this ruckus."
Lochte came away with a single relay gold from Rio but was one of the stars of London 2012, winning two golds, two silvers and a bronze.
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