LochteGate refers to the 2016 Rio Olympics scandal involving American swimmer Ryan Lochte and three teammates. Initially, Lochte claimed they were victims of an armed robbery at a gas station, a story that quickly fell apart as Brazilian police revealed the swimmers had actually vandalized the premises and were confronted by security guards. The incident became a massive internet phenomenon, spawning countless memes that poke fun at Lochte's bleached hair, his confusing account of events, and the concept of 'over-exaggerating' a situation to avoid trouble. It remains a staple in sports meme history as a cautionary tale of media scrutiny and the consequences of stretching the truth.