The pile-on was public and prominent. It was also premature.
On Aug. 1, during the latter stages of a bizarre and challenging World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, all-time great Ryan Lochte declared the death of USA Swimming on Instagram. Lochte posted a picture of a tombstone that listed a lifespan of 1980–2025. (America was extremely successful internationally long before 1980, and in fact boycotted the Moscow Olympics that year. But nobody is seeking out Lochte for history lessons.)
