US swimmer Ryan Lochte charged over fake robbery claim

US swimmer Ryan Lochte has been charged with making a false statement to police after falsely claiming he had been robbed at gunpoint in Rio.

Brazilian police said no such crime took place and that Lochte was in fact responsible for vandalising a gas station as he came home drunk from a party.

The Olympian was forced to issue an apology saying he had "exaggerated" the story.

He also apologised to his other teammates Jimmy Feigen, 26, Jack Conger, 21, and Gunnar Bentz, 20, who police stopped from leaving Brazil over the incident.

The United States Olympic Committee has already described the conduct of the quartet as "not acceptable".

Lochte later lost lucrative sponsor deals- after being dropped by Speedo USA, Ralp Lauren, mattress company Airweave USA and hair removal company Syneron Candela.

Police in Brazil said the officer in charge of the investigation has recommended to judges Lochte be informed of the charges in the US.

They requested an indictment also be sent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).