Former two-time Olympic gold medalist Klete Keller was charged in federal court on Wednesday over alleged participation in the Capitol riot.

Klete Keller
(Photo : Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Former Olympic Swimmer Charged in Federal Court

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Klete Keller was accused of participating in the riot that emerged at the Capitol on Wednesday last week during the certification of the result of the recent Presidential election. He was charged in the federal court on Wednesday.

According to a report in NBC News, a video posted on Twitter showed Keller standing in the middle of a group that was pushing against police officers.

The video also showed that he was with a group of Pres. Donald Trump's supporters.

Additionally, they were seen in the video trying to clear the Rotunda. Keller was seen wearing a jacket with the letters "USA" on the back.

The 38-year-old former Olympic swimmer was charged in the federal court for obstructing law enforcement, knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and violent entry and disorderly conduct, according to the complaint filed against them.

Read also: Feds Arrest Rioters Who Carried Cuffs Onto Senate Floor After Identifying Them

 

CEO of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Released a Statement

After the alleged participation of Kate Keller in the Capitol siege, CEO of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Sarah Hirshland released a statement before the charges were filed against the former Olympic swimmer.

She said that the organization will determine whether any action should be taken.

She also released a statement through Twitter and wrote that she strongly condemns the rioters at the U.S. Capitol. She also added that the actions contradict the committee's values.

"At home, and around the world, Team USA athletes are held to a very high standard as they represent our country on the field of play and off. What happened in Washington, D.C., was a case where that standard was clearly not met."

Read also: Army Officer Emily Rainey Under Investigation for Role in Capitol Riot

USA Swimming Released a Statement

USA Swimming also released its statement. It said that they respect the rights of private individuals and groups to peacefully protest, but in no way condone the actions taken by those at the Capitol last week.

The USA Swimming also clarified that Klete Keller was last registered as a member in 2008.

After Keller decided to step away from the sport, Keller worked as an independent contractor for Hoff & Leigh, a real estate agency in Colorado Springs, Colorado. However, the agency said that Keller resigned on Tuesday.

Klete Keller's Comment on the Issue

Despite the controversy that involved the former Olympic swimmer, Klete Keller did not yet give any comments about the issue or his participation at the Capitol.

Report about his involvement in the riot was first reported in the swimming website SwimSwam.

It can also be remembered that Keller was a teammate of Michael Phelps and was a member of the three U.S. Olympic teams.

Klete Keller won gold n the 4x200-meter relay team event in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008 and silver in the event at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.