Ryan Lochte is doubling down on his earlier comment that he “barely knew” Kayla Lochte once they bought married as he reacted to his estranged spouse posting their marriage ceremony vows on social media.
Posting a press release by way of his Instagram on Thursday, December 18, Ryan, 41, clapped again at backlash he’s obtained and addressed Kayla’s publish amid the former couple’s messy divorce.
“Navigating private challenges in public could be extremely powerful, and I’m grateful for the chance to make clear my latest publish about my ex-wife. I perceive my phrases have sparked a number of backlash, and I need to categorical that my intention was by no means to harm anybody however to share my trustworthy emotions,” the swimmer wrote.
He added, “There’s lots taking place behind the scenes that I’ve chosen to maintain non-public to guard my youngsters. I acknowledge that Kayla has shared our wedding vows on her web page to spotlight the authenticity of what we as soon as had. Whereas I respect that, I nonetheless stand by my perception that we didn’t absolutely know one another, and truthfully, I didn’t know myself or who I used to be. I’m very grateful for our three youngsters and the love we shared at the moment.”
Ryan and Kayla, 34, who share three youngsters — son Caiden Zane, 8, and daughters Liv Rae, 6, and Georgia June, 2 — introduced their divorce in June after Kayla initially filed in March.
Within the publish, Ryan acknowledged that his habits was not at all times the very best whereas married to Kayla and he credited getting skilled assist as serving to him do the internal work on himself.
“Remedy has been a transformative journey for me, serving to me uncover insights about myself that I beforehand missed. I’m making an amazing effort to separate myself from the previous, as I’ve actually moved on,” he continued. “I deeply remorse any disappointment I’ve triggered to these in my life, together with the mom of my youngsters. I’d be mendacity if I stated I used to be a great husband. I wasn’t. I’m dedicated to engaged on myself day-after-day.”
Within the prolonged assertion, Ryan additionally defined why he’s promoting his Olympic medals amid financial issues confronted by the previous couple.
“I additionally want to make clear the promoting of my medals. I by no means swam for the gold medals. My ardour has at all times been about being among the best swimmers on the earth. These medals? They have been simply the cherry on high of an unimaginable journey,” Ryan wrote within the publish. “With 90 worldwide medals – together with Olympics, world championships, Pan Pacs, and Pan Am Video games – I’ve been lucky to attain greater than any swimmer on the market. However what means essentially the most to me is what I’ve carried out with them. I’ve given away medals to followers and younger youngsters within the stands, as a result of it’s by no means been nearly me. It’s about inspiring the subsequent technology and serving to them chase their desires. The recollections, the onerous work, and the reference to all of you’re what I treasure essentially the most.”
Kayla uploaded a video of the pair’s vows at their 2018 marriage ceremony by way of Instagram on December 11 following information that Ryan would publish a tell-all memoir. “Simply going to depart this right here 🙂,” she captioned the publish, which confirmed Ryan making an emotional speech about her.
For her half, Kayla has additionally been candid about how troublesome the breakdown of her marriage has been.
“I’m at the moment navigating a posh divorce, and let me let you know — divorce can really feel like being frozen in time,” Kayla wrote in a prolonged Instagram publish on October 24. “I’m utilizing this season to rebuild, rediscover who I’m, and chase my desires with readability and braveness.”













