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WASHINGTON. — Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte lost four sponsorship deals on Monday — a major financial hit for the embattled gold medallist stemming from his spurious claim of being robbed at gunpoint in Rio, a story later discredited by Brazilian police.

Global swimwear brand Speedo and US fashion label Ralph Lauren topped the list of companies that ended their relationships with the 32-year-old Lochte, with the former noting his actions had not reflected the “values” it wished to promote.

Mattress company Airweave and Syneron Candela, the parent company for a laser hair removal system that Lochte promoted, quickly followed suit.

Lochte claimed he and three of his teammates — all of them gold medal winners in Rio — were mugged by robbers pretending to be police after a night out, but the story quickly unravelled as new witness testimony and surveillance video surfaced. — AFP.