USA Swimming “in no way condone the actions taken by those at the Capitol.”
January 13, 2021, 9:52 PM
• 6 min learn
Olympic gold medalist Klete Keller was charged for his alleged involvement within the assault on the Capitol final week.
The swimmer was charged with obstructing regulation enforcement engaged in official duties, unlawfully getting into Capitol grounds and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
It was first speculated that Keller was concerned within the riot when folks started figuring out a person who seemed like him in a video taken by Townhall reporter Julio Rosas. The video exhibits a tall man seemingly sporting a U.S. Olympic Team jacket, and former teammates and coaches recognized him as Keller, SwimSwam and The New York Times reported.
In the video, which was cited within the grievance in opposition to Keller, Capitol Police tussle with rioters within the Rotunda, and Keller was pushed again with the group by police shields.
The grievance, referencing the Townhall video, notes that “Colorado state records and publicly available information list [Keller’s] height at 6 feet, 6 inches tall, and [the person in the video] appears to be one of the tallest individuals in the video depicting individuals in the Rotunda.”
Keller had been employed by Colorado actual property agency Hoff & Leigh, however, the agency stated in a press release, he resigned this Tuesday.
“Effective immediately, Klete Keller is no longer with Hoff & Leigh. Keller, an independent contractor, resigned from the company today,” the corporate stated. “Hoff & Leigh supports the right of free speech and lawful protest but we cannot condone actions that violate the rule of law. We pride ourselves on our deeply held core values of family, loyalty, community and stewardship. We continue to stand by these values.”
In response to the studies of Keller’s participation within the siege, USA Swimming stated in a press release, “We respect private individuals’ and groups’ rights to peacefully protest but in no way condone the actions taken by those at the Capitol last week.”
Before the cost was made in opposition to Keller, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland despatched a letter to Team USA athletes condemning the “rioters” on the Capitol.
“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,” Hirshland wrote. “What happened in Washington, D.C., was a case where that standard was clearly not met. The people involved attacked the very fabric of the democracy we all proudly represent and, in turn, also let our community down. I urge everyone associated with Team USA to continue to celebrate our diversity of background and beliefs, stand together against hatred and divisiveness, and use our influence to create positive change in our community.”
Keller, 38, gained medals on the 2000,
