American Olympic Champion Ryan Lochte Banned 14-months For Anti Doping Violation

Six-time Olympic champion, swimmer Ryan Lochte received a 14-month ban for anti-doping violation on Monday, the US anti-doping agency (USADA) said on Monday.

Lochte has accepted the suspension and therefore, the 33-year-old's period of ineligibility began on May 24, the date of the infusion, and will keep him from competing in Japan next month at the Pan Pacific Championships and at the world championships in South Korea next July.

USADA said in a statement that Lochte was not using a banned substance but that it prohibits such infusions or injections in excess of 100 mL within a 12-hour period unless received in the course of hospital treatment, surgical procedures or clinical diagnostic investigations.

Lochte is said to have cooperated with the investigation fully.

USADA said intravenous infusions or injections in excess of 100mL within a 12-hour period and without a therapeutic use exemption are prohibited, unless legitimately received in the course of hospital treatment.

Lochte, speaking at a news conference shortly after the USADA announcement, was quoted as saying by the website SwimSwam that he would not let his latest setback keep him from working toward his goal of earning a spot at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

"I wasn't taking anything illegal," said Lochte. "Everything was legal. You can get it at CVS, Walgreens, but there are rules, and you have to obey them... Don't worry. I'm not giving up. I'm going to keep going.

"It's devastating to my family about this because I definitely made myself a better person after Rio, and I was back in training.

"I was feeling good. I was swimming fast. My son being born. Everything was happening. Everything was perfect, and then this happened. And it's devastating."

USA Swimming did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This is not the first time that Lochte has landed himself in trouble and has been suspended by his country's association.

Back in 2016, Lochte was suspended for 10 months for his part in a scandal involving the U.S. athlete and three other swimmers at the Rio Olympics.

Lochte had admitted he "over-exaggerated" a tale about being robbed and held at gunpoint after a party during the Rio Olympics.

Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger, James Feigen, Lochte's swimming team mates who were involved in the incident, also received sanctions for violating the USOC's code of conduct.

At the time of the 10-month suspension, Lochte, who won gold in the 4x200 metres freestyle relay in Rio, also forfeited bonus money from the Games, the monthly funding he received from USOC and USA Swimming and was not allowed access to USOC training centers for the suspension period.

Lochte was asked to perform 20 hours of community service and missed Team USA's post-Olympics trip to the White House.

Security guards then tackled the men and several protesters were escorted out of the audience.

Sometime after that, during 'Dancing with the Stars' television show,  Loche was subjected to a protest from two men.

Lochte was standing on stage next to his partner, professional dancer Cheryl Burke, after their performance as judges were critiquing their moves when two men ran onto the stage in protest.