#Olympian turned Capitol rioter Klete Keller released from federal custody

An Olympic medalist turned Capitol rioter was released from federal custody and ordered to stay away from the nation’s capitol until after next week’s inauguration.

Klete Keller, a 38-year-old swimmer who has won five Olympic medals for the US, appeared in Denver federal court Thursday after he was arrested on federal charges related to his participation in the fatal Jan. 6 uprising.

Only after President-elect Biden is sworn in will the Colorado resident be allowed to return to Washington for court appearances and legal appointments. Keller must ask the court for permission to visit his children in North Carolina.

The 6-foot-6 former teammate of Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte was charged Wednesday with knowingly entering a restricted building to impede an official government function, disorderly conduct and obstructing law officers.

At least a dozen members of the swimming community identified Keller wearing a Team USA jacket in a video clip of the siege, and screenshots of the footage were included in a court document.

His alleged involvement in the riots was first reported by SwimSwam, a site that covers competitive aquatic sports.

Keller resigned from his job as a real estate broker following his arrest, the website noted.

The swimmer struggled to adapt to post-Olympic life and lived in his car for 10 months following his 2014 divorce, according to SwimSwam.

The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee denounced Keller and the riots in a statement.

“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. What happened in Washington, D.C., was a case where that standard was clearly not met,” the statement from USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland partially read.

Nearly 100 people have been charged for breaching the Capitol, and officials say a nationwide manhunt will net hundreds of additional arrests.

Keller competed in the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics, with two gold medals among his haul. 

With AP wires