Ryan Lochte's six Olympic silver, bronze medals put up for auction, will benefit charity

All of Ryan Lochte's Olympic silver and bronze medals are up for auction, with the proceeds going to a charity benefiting children.

The 37-year-old swimmer earned 12 medals over four Olympics, including six gold that he plans to keep for now.

«I'm not one to be all sentimental about medals,» Lochte told The Associated Press by phone Sunday from a Mexican vacation. «My medals are just sitting in my closet collecting dust. The memories that I have is what means the most.»

The medals are being sold in three lots by Boston-based RR Auction. The sale ends July 21.

The first lot is Lochte's first individual Olympic medal, a silver in the 200-meter individual medley from the 2004 Athens Games in which Michael Phelps won gold. It has an estimate of $10,000 or more.

The second lot is a pair of bronze medals from the 2008 Beijing Games, in which Lochte finished third in the 200 IM and 400 IM. The estimate is $12,000 or more.

The third lot features three medals from the 2012 London Games. Lochte finished second in the 200 IM, second in the 4x100 freestyle relay, and third in the 200 backstroke. The estimate is $60,000 or more.

Bobby Livingston, executive vice president of RR Auction, said the medals were consigned by a person who received them from Lochte and wishes to remain anonymous.

«They're in perfect condition. They have beautiful ribbons,» Livingston said. «Ryan's are obviously extremely interesting to people who collect medals.»

Lochte confirmed he is not the direct seller.

«I gave them to a third party,» he said. «Everything we earn is going straight to the charity.»

Also for sale is a 14-karat white gold Olympic ring and a Breitling watch with black diamonds. Lochte bought both items for himself after the London Games.

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