An Olympic medalist spotted on a video footage of the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6 was identified as a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a former relay teammate of Michael Phelps.
Olympic Medalist at U.S. Capitol Riot
SwimSwam was the first to report that the man in the video was identified as Klete Keller, a two-time swimming Olympian.
Keller was seen among the angry mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, just five days after New Year, delaying the official declaration of president-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris.
In another report by the New York Times, Keller is said to be a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, who joined the frenzied riot that left five people dead, including a police officer.
The Times continued that the 6-foot-6 tanker was the bearded man seen in the footage donning a green Olympic team jacket at the Capitol Rotunda. At least 12 people, including Keller's former teammates and coaches who chose to remain unknown, confirmed his identity in the viral video posted by TownHall's Julio Rosas.
Trump supporters fought back after Capitol Police moved in to retake the Rotunda. pic.twitter.com/4e7mNyqWZy
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) January 6, 2021
The Times added that even though Keller only remained on a standstill in the video, his inclusion in the vicious protest will still fall to unlawful entry and misconduct charges. The 38-year-old freestyle specialist has now deleted his Pro-Trump posts on social media.His involvement in the fiasco sparked tons of disapproval among social media users. Some called out that the former Olympics champion should be stripped of his Olympic medals.Here are some tweets from the enraged netizens.
This is simple. @TeamUSA, @USASwimming must insist @olympics strip Klete Keller of his Olympic Swimming Medals. Today. He has dishonored his sport and his nation. https://t.co/n2z9uD6eZA
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) January 12, 2021
@Olympics - Please consider stripping the medals from this guy, Klete Keller if you please? Wearing your organizations insignia while attempting to overthrow the US government isn't a good optic. pic.twitter.com/8LMUnjDMGJ — Deidre Sabatello (@OheeBluis) January 12, 2021
An Olympic gold medalist swimmer named Klete Keller, was part of the MAGA terrorist attacks. His former teammates and coaches identified him. The insurrectionist even wore his Olympic Team Jacket at the time. The @Olympics must strip him of his medals and he should be charged. — Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) January 13, 2021
In the big wave with swimming legend Michael Phelps, Keller took part in the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics, where they finished as the gold medalist in the 4x200m. In Australia, he participated in the Sydney 2000 Games, where he pocketed a bronze medal in the 400m freestyle behind gold medal finisher Ian Thorpe, the host country's decorated swimmer.
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Keller's accolades also included a bronze-medal finish in 400m freestyle during the Athens Olympics.
Currently, the USC graduate is working as a real estate agent in Colorado Springs, where the U.S. Olympic Committee is holding office.
According to The Guardian, there was no response sent by USA Swimming when asked for confirmation if Keller was part of the mob during the U.S. Capitol riot.
Reuters reached out to the woman, who is believed to be working with Keller in the Ohio and Colorado real estate agency, but she only hung up the phone.
Last Wednesday, Trump encouraged his supporters to rattle the U.S. Capitol, which led to a massive crowd rally that forced the Senate and the House of Representatives to hole up in a safer area.
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