Swimmer Ryan Lochte Barred From Wearing Red, White & Blue ‘Grill’ on Olympic Medal Stand
- Posted on July 29, 2012 at 10:19am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte said an Olympic official barred him from wearing his red, white and blue grill on the medal stand Saturday after winning the 400-meter individual medley. (AP)
When it comes to the Olympics, apparently only one type of bling goes.
U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte was barred from wearing his custom-made red, white and blue American flag “grill” over his teeth Saturday after winning the gold in the 400-meter individual medley, according to ESPN.
“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,” ESPN’s Wayne Drehs tweeted.
The 27-year-old swimmer said of being forced to flash an unadorned smile: “Can you believe that?”
Getty
According to USA Today, Lochte is known for sporting a bedazzled grin on the medal stand.
“For those who don’t know what a grill is, it’s basically a retainer filled with diamonds,” Lochte explained in a YouTube video in June. “I wear it when I go on the podium. It’s just a unique way of showing my personality out to everyone.”
(h/t Yahoo! Sports)
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Comments (121)
Minnaloushe
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 12:13pmHow ’bout a red white & blue bone through the nose while you’re at it.
Report Post »stop the progressives
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 3:14pmThey changed it to allow professionals in because countries like Russia and China were cheating. There athletes would be in the military except never do anything in the military except practice for the Olympics. Like the Russian hockey team.
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 3:18pm…
Report Post »In my opinion, GRILLS are only worn by thugs in HOODIES.
turkey13
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 3:30pmNo big deal – remember old Ralphie and the clothing made in China. If he had made them here and paid all those union heads under the table and the local officials kickbacks thuy would have cost 3 times as much or old Ralphis would have had to cut his fees which was 4/5 ‘th cost. In 4 years American athlets will just be identified by name with out country listed. To many of the folks on the Olympic committie are tired of hearing USA. Remember Obama trying to get the Olympics here in Chicago and he didn’t even make the 1st round cut. The rest of the world thinks we are greedy but the truth of the matter is they didn’t think we could afford them.
Report Post »Leadthemtothelight
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 3:57pmWhy is it up to the IOC to tell him no. What if he had his grill permanetly affixed? Then what? Uh sorry dude you cannot get the gold because of your teeth? THEY ARE IN ENGLAND! Land of snaggleteeth.
Report Post »Wait a sec…..are they hating because Ryan has non government run dental care here in the US?
Well at least until the US govenment decides dental care is an unalienable right……
MistyBlueAngel
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 10:57pm@ Want Our Country Back, that’s a good one, way to go!
Report Post »mils
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:01pmif this was the worse thing going on at the olympics , it be different
Report Post »but, it’s far far far from the bs with the countries..not wanting to be near each other, erecting walls so as not see each other..how about keeping them off the podium…
Gorp
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:27pmI don’t really thing the “flag grill” is offensive but I do think it’s really, really stupid.
Report Post »nmgene
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 1:18amI think its much better then a bunch of gang tatoos!!! If it had been me I would have told the English and the Olimpic commitee to stick there gold in there ear!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »sixtysix
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 8:35amOnce American athletes were stripped of their medals because they raised the Black Panther fist instead of standing respectfully while the National Anthem was played. Now, a guy wants to advertise with his teeth and he is threatened. Both demonstrations are questionable; but, at least the latter love his country.
Report Post »darkknight91
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:35amThis guy needs to start worrying about his performances than looking all cutesy on the podium. Especially after he blew the 4 man relay that somehow Phelps is being blamed for.
Report Post »Tigress1
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 12:07pmI think sometimes that these athletes forget that they are REPRESENTING the U.S.A. at the Olympics, and think that “It’s all about ME”. Maybe I’m turning into an old fuddy-duddy, but I was pretty appalled during the Parade of Nations when most of our athletes were holding up their cell phones taking pictures of THEMSELVES! Hardly anybody from the other countries was doing that, and it made us look like a bunch of self-absorbed idiots. They should have a little dignity and class. Patriotism is one thing, tackiness is another. This grill is tacky.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 12:29pmSort of like the astronauts being recognized for going to the moon. All they ever did was go along for the ride. The astronauts didn’t train, learn how to operate the equipment, learn what to do in an emergency, or anything else. Sort of the Obama doctrine. Well, I disagree. The athletes did it thru self determination. They deserve all the credit. Screw Obama’s theory and the elephant he rode in on.
Report Post »VoteBushIn12
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 12:36pm@TIGRESS1
“Maybe I’m turning into an old fuddy-duddy…”
Correct.
Don’t worry, I’ll make sure them “dern kids” stay off your lawn.
Report Post »Tigress1
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 12:49pm@Chips1, I hear you! It’s just that they are wearing the name of OUR country on their clothes. They are representing US! Of course they get the credit for the hard work, but usually the athletes claim to do it FOR THEIR COUNTRY! Where has that kind of patriotism gone?
Report Post »kindling
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 1:26pmBut they represent the United States of America. Obama goes around apologizing for America and this behavour supports the shame.
Report Post »Want our country back
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 1:57pmLet’s not forget, that these athletes, through their hours of endless work and sacrifice, didn’t do it on their own. They didn’t do it themselves. They couldn’t have done it without the roads & bridges that took them to the pool, track or the gym. It‘s a good thing they DIDN’T have to train (sarc) in the last 3 1/2 years, because we all know that in spite of the near trillion $$$’s in stimulus, there were no new roads or bridges built.
PS: I don’t like the grill either, but then again, if I won a gold medal, I might feel differently about it…. when I was young, I thought a lot of things were cool when my parents were horrified by them.
Report Post »mils
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 9:53amNOTHING WRONG WITH THE GRILL…period…better than attoos, raising fists, refusing to be near a competitior because they are from a different country…. etc..the grill not even noticeable…
Report Post »….and the athletes were taking pictures of the crowd..notice how most of their cameras were turned.
the uniforms’, outfits, they wore in opening ceremony were about as great as the lackluster, boring ceremony. in fact, they looked they worked for an airline, or cruise ship…
quit picking on the small stuff…these people don’t ask for your tax money to go to the olympics…they, unlike other countries, pay , work for the money to get to the olympics..
♥♥♥♥♥Michelle obama who is over there on your tax dollar…with her entourage…gripe about that, not what a real winner wears on his teeth
BrerRabbit
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:52amIOC is not our friend!
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:51am…
Report Post »I must agree with the Olympic officials on this one. Teeth GRILLS have no place on the Olympic podium, or in my opinion, anywhere in a civilized society. They are disgusting.
TxSon
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 12:06pmAs long as you realize that your post is an OPINION, not a fact …
Report Post »VoteBushIn12
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 12:37pmIt’s an accessory like an earring or a necklace. The fact that you wouldn‘t wear one doesn’t mean others wouldn’t. I don’t see an issue with it.
Report Post »XScramblerX
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 7:13pmFirst off I would to congratulate Ryan on getting Gold. Good job! As for fashion, I don’t like the “grill” either, however, it’s not offensive, it doesn‘t cover or change one’s identity, it’s not worn during competition, he should have every right to where it on the podium! Only because it’s Red White and Blue? Are these Olympics run by Communists ? The IOCC? I bet if the grill was GREEN or read UN there would not have been a problem.
Report Post »mixplix
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 8:56pmI feel the same about tattoos’, all of them.
Report Post »kadster01
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 8:28am@LEADNOTFOLLOW
I’d have to agree with you on this one. Professional athletes need to behave as such, with professionalism and maturity. Banning him from wearing his bling isn’t anti-American or unpatriotic, it’s simply anti-stupidity.
Report Post »saranda
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:49amStopped him from looking like an idiot. Nothing wrong with this at all. Obviously the kid thinks he is starring in a rap video and needed to be set straight.
Cannot believe a 27 year old would somehow consider a retainer a part of his personality.
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:47amferk the olympics…
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:52amferk england..
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 12:08pmSports “heros”… Ferk em
Report Post »RRFlyer
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 7:18pmChange all the things you mentioned to “MAULEMALL” and you have a good point. I can’t stand haters.
Report Post »Critters58
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:41amWhere is the courage of previous great American Olympic winners who would have worn the red, white and blue. Are we letting the ISLAMS rule what we do even in England! Stop this madness! The American athletes must revolt against this! We sent you there to represent America!
Report Post »smokeyridgerunner
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 12:14pmThe USA should have pulled out!
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 12:37pmHe was wearing red, white, and blue. Isn’t that enough? Why does he need a so-called, grill to show personality?
Report Post »nmgene
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 1:28amCome on now, There is nothing wrong with the red white and blue grill. It means he is proud of his country doesnt it. At least his pants arnt hanging off his rump!!!!
Report Post »ibanrfknm
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:41amApartheid Wall? Lebanese Judo Team Forces Olympic Organizers to Erect Barrier to Block View of Israelis
This is an egregious act of stupidity and should not be allowed to stand. It flies in the face of the Olympic creed and if this administration had an ounce of integrity and courage they would take a stand.
Report Post »RollyBones
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 12:06pmTry to get into any sport group that’s training and watch them! You can tell a lot about your opponent just by watching them. Specially in a martial art! Although this was probably not the reason for it. It’s quite common to block off any ones view of practice. They even had the screens there because several other teams in past Olympics wanted privacy. This is just some one trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill!
Report Post »Rolly
berlet98
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:35amThe Olympics–A Dream Come and Gone
The games have begun! Now, let’s call them a wrap!
The Olympics have devolved into a cesspool of international propaganda, intrigue, and cheating–not to mention a subsidized bacchanalian venue for young athletes who could just as well fornicate on their own dime rather than using the 150,000 condoms (15 per athlete) distributed by the United States Olympic Committee.
Sandra Fluke would be appreciative of the USOC condom largesse but are contributors to the USOC aware their dollars are helping pay America’s Olympians to safely do what they would do even without free prophylactics?
The inspiration for the modern Olympics, the ancient Greek religious/athletics festival dating to 776 B.C., was beset with corruption and so, too, is the modern Olympiad. The chief difference is that today we spend billions staging the events whereas the wiser Greeks back then spent little and benefitted from a suspension of city-state wars, conflicts they resumed soon after the games.
Our conflicts continue during the games.
As for contraception, the naked Greek athletes were on their own but, since they were all male, the chance of procreating with their fellow athletes was less than minimal.
Aside from publicity for the host nation, there are few perks derived from hosting the modern Olympics and the potential financial liabilities far outweigh any benefits, a reality which could reach astronomical proporti
Report Post »ricckky
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:32amWhat is it with these puke face libs??? No brains, no ambition except to complain about the people with ambition. It has to be a mental disorder!!!!!!!
Report Post »Marlin2009
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:27amI could not care less about the Olympic game for many years…it’s become more a political than a pure sport game.
Tired of it.
Report Post »RRFlyer
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 7:20pmThen please stop talking about it. Many of us still watch the Olympics. Or do you want to outlaw anyone else liking it because you don’t? Very Liberal of you. Obama will be proud.
Report Post »ginger100
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:24amBeing white is not right, they must pay over and over again, their children and grand children for the next two, three, whatever hundred year. $15,922,104,999,999. Thanks mr preezy
Report Post »FlagWavingPatriot
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:24amI guess I can’t get too bent out of shape over this. I think the “grill” is probably more fitting for the after-ceremony photos for Sports Illustrated, etc., than the official photos on the podium. They just need to ensure the standard is applied to all nations throughout the games.
On another issue, though, my blood did boil over as Colombia‘s Lady Andrade punched Abby Wambach in the face during yesterday’s soccer match…punched her right in the eye. I’m a bit of a soccer fan, so I can see how it’s missed on the field, but why haven’t Olympic officials reviewed the video tape and and sent “Lady” packing? She should be out of the Olympics. Oh, and kudos to Abby for keeping her cool and scoring a goal afterwards–the guttiest performance of these games so far.
Report Post »ShadowPlacebo
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:22amAlthough people look silly when they wear grills, let the guy be Patriotic for Pete’s sake. In this socialist country, we gotta praise those still proud to wear Red, White and Blue, not matter what way it’s worn
Report Post »Santa Cruz Kid
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:16amHe should have refused the medal.
Report Post »Marlin2009
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:24amI agree. If I were him, I would give the Olympic officer a “go to hell” sign and refuse to accept the gold medal.
Olympic is a game for all but a few silly officials.
Report Post »taxpro4u03
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:41am“One does NOT need a ‘badge’ to have HONOR. All you need for that is a mirror” — FLIP the ‘culture’ back. :-) Hell — I’ve QUIT jobs, refused promotions, declined requests etc because my honor and credibility are NOT ‘for sale’ to the highest bidder. The ‘spirit’ of the games themselves reflects the world-wide erosion of right and wrong. – A POWERFUL message would be ‘compete,’ with HONOR; GIVE the ‘gold’ to the LAST place finisher — now THAT would be an act of ‘good.’ I WOULD — Have done it before. Let THEM figger it out :-) No ‘photo-ops,‘ and no ’press.’ Old Native American Indian saying: :”I am happy because I am CONSIDERED poor in the white man’s world. I am poor because I am honest.”
Report Post »MDECKER
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:50amYou don’t put in 15k + meters a day in the water for years, plus all the other prep, and not take the podium at the Olympics because of something as inconsequential as this.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 12:21pmSANTA CRUZ KID, I’m glad that Locht won the medal, but at the same time I am sure that there are well laid out rules of demeanor for the actions of the participants, and the winners while on the stepped stages. I recall do recall the IOC’s admonishment to a black winner who gave the Black Panther fisted salute at the games in Mexico City. Its the IOC who made the rules, and the participants who agreed to conduct themselves in accordance to those rules.
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:12amIs this article a commercial for some sort of barbecue? How do you wear a cooking appliance?
Report Post »Zipit
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 2:35pmI’m actually impressed with your fleeting attempt at humor MBE!!! Is it possible that there is something other than a mind numbed robot behind all of those inane posts? On second thought, nah!!! You probably do think that it is a cooking device.
Report Post »rickc34
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 10:44amHere you go, Obama says that the United States is more respected now than any other time, I think he is wrong and this goes to prove it, not allowed to wear the red, white and blue, it is our nations colors . This shows what little respect the other nations have for the United States since Obama has been President. Obama could not even get the Olympics here, he is a joke and a liar.
Report Post »Eadweard Merten
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 10:41amBut a Black Power salute is a-ok, right Olympics Officials?
Olympics guide:
Black Power salute: Good
American Nationalism: Bad.
Makes me sick!!!
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:03amI doubt they could’ve foresaw the black power salute. Has there been another since? I’m for keeping it classy….no black power salutes and no red, white and blue “grills”.
Report Post »fdraiden
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 1:21pmFor everyone’s edification…the black power salute is the same as the worldwide communist salute!
Report Post »frank002
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 2:06pmAgree 100%. They did not take back the medals from John Carlos and the other brotha after their Black Power fiasco. How about White Power? Would athletes wearing white gloves be denied medals?
Report Post »Godfather.1
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 6:39pmI guess you missed that part about those two athletes getting sent home after doing the black power salute. Also, I’m sure they were not expecting it beforehand so the IOC had no reason to tell them not to do it.
Nice try though.
Report Post »Eadweard Merten
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 11:59am@GODFATHER.1
However today the Black Power salute is hailed by the IOC:
“Today, the official IOC website states that “Over and above winning medals, the black American athletes made names for themselves by an act of racial protest.”[12]”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Olympics_Black_Power_salute#Aftermath
Also the two athletes in the incident are lionized by liberal teachers and professors. In fact at the local University here they recently had some presentation glorifying it!!!
Report Post »KEA
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 10:41amThey can keep the Gold! We MUST take a stand against this kind of crap!
Report Post »RobbieTLHughie
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 10:41amWhy do you people have to hate everything everyone else likes? Are you conservatives or contraries?
Report Post »Silversmith
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 10:40amThey play the anthem, they fly the flag, and this is objectionable why?
Silversmith
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 10:38amHe has a flag on his uniform.Somehow one in his mouth just does not seem like proper etiquette to me.
Report Post »If they had stopped him from holding one,I would be outraged.
riseandshine
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 10:38amI side with the Olympics official on this one.
Report Post »lel2007
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 10:46amDitto that. There‘s already too much ’showmanship’ in spots.
Report Post »sta
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 2:58pmThen every woman should be made to take off her nail polish. I saw an awful lot of nails painted for many countries. Oh and those cute ribbons the gymnasts wear? Those have to go too.
For Heaven’s sake, the “grill” is basically white with some red and blue thrown in. It’s nice to see some pride in America.
Report Post »Unix
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 10:37amWhat do expect from the socialist England anymore! they have no pride for their country it seems, so they bar our folks too, sad! Maybe they should all hop on their socialist beds and stick those IV‘s where the sun doesn’t shine – sickening!
Report Post »Want our country back
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 10:22amWOW….. he should have put Mao’s face on it, I’m sure that would be acceptable.
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 11:11amIt went over big in the whitehouse, how much is it going to cost to fumigate that place in January? Lot of rats in there!
Report Post »chips1
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 12:40pmYou can’t fumegate a dump. Just build another one in a place far away from corruption.
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