A two-time Olympic gold medal winner has been identified by some media outlets as part of the angry mob which stormed the U.S. Capitol building last Wednesday.
According to the New York Times Klete Keller, who won two Olympic gold medals as a swimmer for Team USA, was identified in a video posted on Twitter as part of the crowd that is resisting the Capitol Police.
The video, posted by journalist Julio Rosas, shows just how outnumbered police were as rioters pushed against them to access the building.
Swimming site SwimSwam first reported the news on Monday saying “At least a dozen people within the sport have identified that individual to SwimSwam as the 6’6” Olympic gold medalist Klete Keller after reviewing the video and screenshots.”
The bearded man identified as Keller is visible among the crowd due to his height and wearing an easily identifiable ‘Team USA’ jacket.
The group of pro-Trump protesters led an insurrection on the U.S. Capitol just before Congress was able to vote on certifying the 2020 presidential election results. Their actions led to a halt in the proceedings and U.S. lawmakers were forced to lock themselves in their offices.
The video doesn’t show the man identified as Keller engaging in any violent activity, but he could face federal charges of unlawful entry and disorderly conduct if authorities are able to positively identify him, as per Yahoo News.
So far 20 people have been charged in Washington DC’s federal district court and another 40 have been charged in local courts following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
The violence on January 6 resulted in five deaths, including the death of Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick who was reportedly “injured while physically engaging with protesters.” Four rioters died as well, one of whom was shot by Capitol Police as she tried to climb through a broken window.
Keller, who according to the New York Times is known as a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, swam in the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Olympics. He won two bronze medals, one silver medal, and two gold medals, both of which he won as part of the 800m freestyle relays in 2004 and 2008.
‘Deleted social media accounts’
The 38-year-old also set the American record for the 400m freestyle in 2004 and the world record for the 800m relay in 2007. Both records have since been broken.
According to SwimSwam Keller, who now works as an independent contractor for the Colorado and Ohio-based real estate agency Hoff and Leigh, has since deleted all of his social media accounts.
I hope all those responsible for Wednesday’s violence are identified and punished for their actions. What happened is inexcusable.
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