Ryan Lochte is setting the record straight.
The Olympian clarified his decision to auction off three of the six gold medals he won during his four Olympic appearances, as well as some recent comments he made about his estranged wife Kayla Reid Lochte, from whom he separated in June after seven years of marriage.
“I never swam for the gold medals,” he wrote in a statement posted to Instagram Dec. 18. “My passion has always been about being one of the best swimmers in the world. Those medals? They were just the cherry on top of an incredible journey.”
The 41-year-old noted that the 90 medals he’s won throughout his swimming career signal that he’s been able to “achieve more than any swimmer out there.”
What means the most to me is what I’ve done with them,” he went on. “I’ve given away medals to fans and young kids in the stands, because it’s never been just about me. It’s about inspiring the next generation and helping them chase their dreams. The memories, the hard work, and the connection with all of you are what I treasure the most.”