US Olympic swimming gold medalist Klete Keller charged by the Justice Department
Keller, 38, competed in the Olympics in 2000, 2004, and 2008
Keller unlawfully entered the huge Pavilion hall of the Capitol
US Olympic swimming gold medalist Klete Keller charged by the Justice Department Wednesday with participating in the January 6 attack on Congress by supporters of President Donald Trump.
Keller taped as part of the crowd that unlawfully entered the huge Pavilion hall of the Capitol after violent protesters broke through police lines and pushed their way in.
A statement accompanying formal charges revealed Wednesday said police recognized the three-time Olympian first by what appears to be an official team jacket bearing the large logo “USA” on the back and an arm patch that read “United States Olympic team.”
He was accused with illegally entering the Capitol, violent or disorderly conduct, and obstructing law enforcement.
Keller, 38, competed in the Olympics in 2000, 2004, and 2008, taking two golds and a silver in the 4×200 meter freestyle relays, and two bronzes in the individual 400-meter freestyle.
His 2004 relay gold in Athens was one of the most celebrated races in swimming, with a US star team that included Michael Phelps, against an Australian foursome led by the powerful champion Ian Thorpe.
In the anchor position, he was able to hold off a surging Thorpe for the win, ending years of Australian dominance in the event.
His life after the Olympics was rocky, with a divorce, multiple lost jobs, and plunge into homelessness and living out of his car for a time, he told The Olympic Channel in a 2018 podcast.
