PALO ALTO, CALIF. — Ryan Lochte, returning to competitive swimming on Wednesday for first time since serving a 14-month ban for receiving an intravenous injection, addressed his “roller-coaster’’ life outside the pool.
During the last three years, Lochte has served a 10-month ban for an alcohol-fueled incident at the 2016 Olympics, served another 14-month ban for use of a prohibited IV and sought treatment for a problem with alcohol.
Lochte said he checked into a rehab center in Florida last year and the treatment lasted about six weeks.
“I think it was getting to a point in my life where I needed a change,’’ said Lochte, a 12-time Olympic medalist who turns 35 Sunday and is competing at the Phillips 66 National Championships.