Jack Conger Releases Statement on Gas Station Incident at 2016 Rio Olympics

American swimmer Jack Conger released a statement Friday night providing his version of events concerning the highly publicized Lochtegate situation at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

PR Newswire passed along the comments from Conger, who called the entire ordeal an "unsettling, humbling and frightening experience."

The 21-year-old gold medalist stated he's been honest with authorities throughout the drama and explained what he remembered from the night in question:

"

Early Sunday morning I was with USA swimming teammates celebrating at the French House. Four of us took a taxi back to the Olympic Village, and on the way we pulled into a gas station to use the restroom, but ultimately relieved ourselves outside, for which I apologize. Ryan Lochte removed a poster from a nearby wall, which apparently alerted the gas station employees, leading to our being confronted by two armed security men. Although I cooperated with their requests while there was a heated exchange among others, at one point a weapon was pointed at me. Eventually, a man appeared who was able to translate for us, helping to defuse the situation. We paid some money to compensate them for the torn poster, and returned to the Village in a different taxi.

"

Lochte, who originally said the swimmers were pulled over before an assailant put a gun to his forehead during a robbery, posted a statement on social media Friday. He apologized for not being more "careful and candid" in his remarks about the situation and asked everybody to move forward.

Lochte returned home to the United States before the situation began to spiral out of control in Brazil. Meanwhile, Brazilian authorities pulled Conger and Gunnar Bentz off their return flight and detained them for "several hours" Wednesday night, per Simon Romero and Michael S. Schmidt of the New York Times.

Conger noted in his statement that investigators told him he was only being considered as a witness and not a potential suspect in any crime committed.

Cassandra Garrison and Caroline Stauffer of Reuters reported Conger and Bentz were cleared to return home and landed early Friday.

The fourth swimmer, Jimmy Feigen, was ordered to pay almost $11,000 to charity in order to have his passport returned, according to Alan Gomez and Nancy Armour of USA Today. He was cleared to return to the U.S., though local officials are appealing with hope of raising the amount closer to $50,000.

Conger concluded his statement by apologizing to Brazil and Rio de Janeiro. He's hopeful of putting the situation behind him so he can return to his "normal routine of school and swimming."