Maybe he was afraid his passport would be seized.

Trouble like being a visitor to a third world country where the kangaroo courts do shit like detaining victims - see story above.

He might have been robbed by actual cops, not people pretending to be cops.

Nope you’re right. On second thought, letting US athletes fall victim to the ceaseless institutionalized corruption in Rio and Brazil is a desirable outcome. My apologies!

Police in these countries are like the mob. They see Americans and suddenly you have no passport, you’re in prison and your family is wiring money to get you out of prison.

Or trouble as in this exact situation

Or the fact that he says they were robbed by a cop.

It might have to do with being out after a curfew, or out drinking, against the advice or orders of the US Swim Team. Not “trouble” like being sent to jail, but trouble like “What the hell did we tell you about going off on your own in Rio?” from a coach.

Phew, for a second there I thought the Brazilian police might be corrupt.