For all those wondering where Ryan Lochte's apology is, it finally came on Friday morning.
After nearly a week of questions and uncertainty in the controversy surrounding Lochte and U.S. swim teammates Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen, Lochte has now issued an apology for his actions via social media.
"I want to apologize for my behavior last weekend -- for not being more careful and candid in how I described the events of that early morning and for my role in taking the focus away from the many athletes fulfilling their dreams of participating in the Olympics," Lochte said in a lengthy tweet. "I waited to share these thoughts until it was confirmed that the legal situation was addressed and it was clear that my teammates would be arriving home safely."
His apology comes within hours of Bentz and Conger returning to the U.S. from Rio after they were escorted off a plane Wednesday and after Feigen reportedly agreed to pay $10,800 to a Brazilian charity to get his passport back.
"It's traumatic to be out late with your friends in a foreign country -- with a language barrier -- and have a stranger point a gun at you and demand money to let you leave," Lochte continued, adding "but regardless of the behavior of anyone else that night, I should have been much more responsible in how I handled myself and for that am sorry to my teammates, my fans, my fellow competitors, my sponsors, and the hosts of this great event."
The 12-time Olympic gold medalist concluded his post by writing that he "appreciates" the USOC, the IOC and the Rio '16 Host Committee "for all of their efforts." He also said that he hoped the focus of the Olympics can now be shifted back to the other great athletes who are competing and have yet to compete in the games.