The Rio gas station fiasco continues to loom large over Ryan Lochte.
The American swimmer has been suspended for 10 months, according to reports, for his involvement in the incident in which he initially claimed to have been robbed at gunpoint. The suspension would cause Lochte to miss the 2017 World Championships in Budapest.
Rio police investigated and then asserted that Lochte and three of his teammates had vandalized the gas station restroom and were confronted by security guards on August 14. Lochte and teammate Jimmy Feigen were charged with filing a false police report, but the police account of the incident has also been called into question, as video evidence suggested the men never entered the bathroom.
Lochte apologized in an NBC interview for having been drinking and therefore embellishing his story, though Feigen denies they ever made a false statement. Some eyewitness accounts also support Lochte and Feigen’s claims, though Lochte does admit the group caused damage to a poster. Still, he asserts he and his teammates did have guns drawn on them.
“I don't know if I would consider it as a robbery, or extortion, or us just paying up for the poster being ripped,” Lochte said.
Lochte lost sponsorship deals with Ralph Lauren and Speedo, among others, following the incident, though the Pine Bros. cough drop company later signed him, asking “for a little forgiveness for an American swimming legend.” Lochte says he has reached out to teammates—including offering to repay Feigen the $10,800 the latter paid in order to leave Rio.
Lochte isn’t the first high-profile American athlete to be suspended this year in the wake of Olympic controversy. Women’s soccer team star Hope Solo received a six-month suspension for calling Sweden “a bunch of cowards” after that team used a defensive style of play to defeat the U.S. in the Olympic quarterfinals. Solo’s contract was also terminated by U.S. Soccer. Women’s national team coach Jill Ellis says it was a series of actions and incidents that led to Solo’s suspension and contract termination. Following the suspension, Solo chose to also leave her Seattle Reign professional squad.
Lochte has won 12 swimming medals for the U.S., including six gold. His lone medal this year was as part of the men’s 4x200 freestyle relay. Lochte is set to appear on the upcoming season of ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars.”
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.