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Kelly CohenESPN
Kelty Keeler, a two-time swimming gold medalist at the US Olympics, was apparently among the rioters who stormed the US Capitol building last week, according to a video clip.
The video appears to show Keeler, 38, wearing a Team USA jacket during the riots. Keeler was part of the US swimming team in the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics, establishing 4 × 200 freestyle. In 2004 in Athens, he faced Australian Ian Thorpe to help his team – who featured Michael Phelps – win gold.
A USA Swimming spokesperson, reached by ESPN, could not confirm or deny that Keller was seen in the video, which was first reported by SwimSwam news site. Several of his former classmates and coaches said they recognized Keeler in the video, According to a report by the New York Times.
Town Hall Media Reporter Share the video that has now gone viral From inside the Capitol Rotunda on January 6, Keeler was allegedly shown around the 12-second mark.
“[W]Respect the rights of individuals and groups to peacefully protest, but do not in any way condone the measures taken by those on the Capitol building last week.
Keeler recently worked as a real estate agent in Colorado Springs with Hoff & Leigh. His job has been confirmed for SwimSwam, but his profile has since been deleted.
Keeler has since deleted all of his social media accounts, although he has published in the past his strong support for President Donald Trump. His most recent public photos on Instagram are from 2017 at an event outside Boston.
Riots by Trump supporters on January 6 in protest of President-elect Joe Biden’s election certification killed five people, including a Capitol police officer. Dozens of people have since been arrested, and the FBI said Tuesday that they have opened more than 160 case files and are investigating more than 100,000 pieces of digital evidence they have received.
