Ryan Lochte Grill: American Olympian's Bling Has World Buzzing

You would think winning a gold medal in the 400-meter individual medley would make all the headlines in itself, but it turns out Ryan Lochte has found a way to overshadow his performance in the pool.

Thanks to USA Today Sports (via Twitter), we got a good shot of Lochte all blinged out, showing his gold medal while sporting a big grin covered by a sweet grill.

"

Just Ryan Lochte with his gold medal and iced out grill instagr.am/p/No1pAknLMC/

— USA TODAY Sports (@USATODAYsports) July 28, 2012"

However, Wayne Drehs of ESPN.com tweeted that Olympic officials weren't too keen on the idea that Lochte would wear that on the podium when receiving his shiny new medal.

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Lochte told me he tried to wear his grill on the podium only to have an Olympics official tell him if he did so he wouldn't get his gold.

— Wayne Drehs (@espnWD) July 28, 2012"

The now infamous shot of Lochte's ill grill has left the world in a frenzy and it seems everyone has an opinion of the gold medal winner's new look.

Rapper Paul Wall (via Twitter) is infamous for reppin' grills in his music videos and everyday life in general, so it wasn't a shock that he gave Lochte's grill a shout out.

"

Congrats @ryanlochte reppin #TeamUSA larrybrownsports.com/olympics/ryan-…

— Paul Wall (@paulwallbaby) July 29, 2012"

To add more legitimacy to Lochte's grill piece, DJ Funkmaster Flex (via Twitter) tweeted the same picture. Clearly, he must approve also.

"

#IFWT (Photo) Olympic Swimming: Gold Medalist Ryan Lochte Rocks Iced Out USA Grill - ow.ly/1OnIZD

— Funk Flex !!!!!(@funkmasterflex) July 29, 2012"

If Paul Wall and Funkmaster Flex are okay with Lochte's grill, who are any of us to judge?

With all the controversy and overall attention drawn to Lochte's mouth bling, we will all wait with bated breath to see if another medal will result in the return of his grill.