Ryan Lochte's Divorce: Olympian's Identity Crisis Sank Marriage

Once an Olympic icon, Ryan Lochte is now facing a deeply personal unraveling.

Sources reveal that his ongoing identity crisis not only drove a wedge between him and his wife, Kayla Lochte, but ultimately sank their marriage.

As rumors of infidelity swirl, those close to the couple say Ryan didn’t just lose his way—he lost himself, and with it, the trust of his wife.

According to People, Kayla filed for divorce in March, calling their seven-year marriage “irretrievably broken.”

Last year, Ryan was involved in a near-fatal car crash, and what began as emotional distance reportedly grew into a full separation between the two.

An insider told the outlet that Ryan’s betrayals and internal struggles were the final straw.

"He’s damaged so much of their marriage and broken her heart so many times that she doesn’t know if reconciliation is even possible," the source said.

The insider noted that as Ryan’s Olympic career stalled, he failed to be an equal partner both as a husband and a father.

Adam Pretty, Getty Images

Kayla kept their marital issues "under wraps" for a long time, protecting the image of the 12-time Olympic medalist.

Ultimately, Kayla decided that divorcing Ryan might be the wake-up call he desperately needs.

"It got so bad that she felt leaving was the only way to force him into court-mandated help. All she wants is for him to be healthy and well," the source added.

Kayla is seeking sole custody of their three children: son Caiden, 8; daughter Liv, 6; and daughter Georgia, nearly 2.

She argues that an equal custody split would be "detrimental" to the kids and is also seeking child support and alimony.