American swimming legend Ryan Lochte is parting with some of his most prized possessions. The 12-time Olympic medalist has placed three of his six gold medals up for auction, a move that coincides with a highly publicized and bitter divorce from his wife, former Playboy model Kayla Rae Reid.
Medals on the Block with a Starting Bid of $20,000
The retired athlete, now 41, has consigned the medals through the Goldin auction house. The items for sale are all from the 4x200-metre freestyle relay events, representing his victories at the 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing, and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. Bidding for each medal opened on December 10, 2025, and will run until January 3, 2026.
The starting price for each piece of Olympic history is set at US$20,000. As of the latest updates, the medal from the 2008 Beijing Games is currently leading the bids, having reached $32,000. In a video announcement, Lochte framed the sale as an opportunity for the medals to inspire others, stating they should do more than "sit on a shelf."
A Contentious Divorce Fuels Headlines
The auction news unfolds against the backdrop of Lochte's acrimonious split from Kayla Reid, with whom he shares three young children: son Caiden Zane, 8, and daughters Liv Rae, 6, and Georgia June, 2. Court documents filed by Reid in September 2025 and later temporarily sealed contain severe allegations against the swimmer.
Reid is seeking full custody of their children, citing a history of substance abuse. Her filing, as reported by US Weekly, alleges that Lochte used drugs in front of the children and drove them while intoxicated. The documents claim Reid found "mostly empty baggies of cocaine" in various areas of their home, including a child's bedroom and under the dining room table.
Further allegations state that Lochte would sometimes be found passed out in the driver's seat of his car with the engine running after taking the kids to school, and that he has fallen asleep while being the sole supervisor of the children.
Lochte's Legacy and the Auction Market
Despite the personal turmoil, Lochte's athletic achievements remain significant. His six gold medals are a testament to his career as one of America's most decorated swimmers. The Goldin auction house, which is handling the sale, recently managed the auction for the game-winning home run ball hit by Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer in the 2025 ALCS.
Lochte's decision to sell a portion of his Olympic legacy marks a dramatic turn for the athlete, who has faced numerous public challenges since his competitive swimming days ended. The proceeds from the auction and the ultimate destination of these iconic medals will be closely watched by sports memorabilia collectors and fans alike, as the legal proceedings in his divorce continue to develop.
