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Olympic champion caught on camera storming US Capitol

Andrew Reid
·3-min read
Klete Keller is pictured here on footage taken from the US Capitol when it was stormed by Trump supporters.
Klete Keller was identified by numerous sources as one of the individuals who stormed the US Capitol. Pic: Townhall Media

Two-time Olympic swimming gold medallist Klete Keller has been identified as a member of the mob that stormed the US Capitol in violent scenes last week.

Footage of last week's deadly insurrection shows Keller to be among a large group of individuals that broke into the US Capitol, in an incident that shocked the world.

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The New York Times and swimming site SwimSwam reported on Keller being among the supporters of President Donald Trump who fought their way into the Capitol last Wednesday in a violent election protest that left five people dead.

Klete Keller is seen here waving to fans at the end of a swimming race.
The American swimmer could be seen wearing his US Olympic jacket in the footage taken from inside the Capitol. Pic: Getty

The 6ft 6in (1.98m) swim star - wearing his US Olympic team jacket inside the Capitol Rotunda - was recognised by several observers on the footage which showed police trying to clear people from the area.

The Times reported that several unnamed former teammates and coaches identified Keller while SwimSwam said at least 12 people within the sport had identified Keller.

No video showed Keller doing anything violent, the Times said, although simply being there opens the door for federal unlawful entry and disorderly conduct charges.

The Times said Keller's deleted social media accounts included pro-Trump messaging.

The swimmer’s actions have led to a chorus of outrage on social media, where many users are calling for him to be stripped of his Olympic medals.

Keller, 38, was a US gold-medal 4x200m relay teammate of swim legend Michael Phelps at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics.

He also swam at the Sydney 2000 Games, where he claimed a bronze medal in the 400m freestyle event won by Australian great, Ian Thorpe.

The American star also won silver in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay famously won in world record time by an Australian team led by Thorpe and Michael Klim.

Pictured right, Klete Keller poses with his 400m freestyle bronze from at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
Klete Keller won bronze behind Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett at the 2004 Athens Games. Pic: AAP

Keller was also a bronze medallist in the 400m freestyle at the Athens Games in Greece, where he was beaten by Aussie duo Thorpe and Grant Hackett.

The Times reported that Keller had recently worked as a real estate agent in Colorado Springs, home of the US Olympic Committee.

with agencies

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