Ryan Lochte Rushed on Stage by Protesters in Dancing With The Stars

Ryan Lochte was rushed by audience members during the swimmer's performance in 'Dancing with the Stars' the Hollywood Reporter said.

The controversial Olympian appeared shocked and disoriented as his debut dance on the live ABC reality competition show was swarmed by protesters.

Hollywood Reporter said that Lochte's debut on Dancing With the Stars was interrupted when two men rushed the stage during Monday night's premiere of the ABC reality dance competition series. The incident occurred off camera, and so was not broadcasted but the audience could hear the chaos as it unfolded.

The Hollywood Reporter said that based on audience members who took to social media, several people in the audience revealed anti-Lochte T-shirts and two men rushed the stage. A video from one Twitter user shows one of the protesters being tackled to the ground on the dance floor, while the other walks by the camera with security. After the show, ABC News' Jason Nathanson shared a photo of two men in handcuffs wearing anti-Lochte shirts. 

Before the incident took place, Lochte and partner Cheryl Burke were listening to Carrie Ann Inaba critique their dance performance when the judge's attention was diverted to the commotion. The cameras stayed on Ann Inaba as sounds of "boos" could be heard, and she began to repeat, "Excuse me, excuse me."

Host Tom Bergeron was heard saying "easy" before the cameras panned back to Bergeron and a a shocked Lochte and Burke. 

"Take a breath," Bergeron told the audience, before the show abruptly cut to commercial.

When the show returned from the break, Bergeron thanked the security team for their efforts, saying, "We had a little break because we had a little incident."

"So many feelings are going through my head right now," Lochte the swimmer told Bergeron after the incident took place. He then added that he was "a little hurt." Saying, "I came out here and I wanted to do something I was completely uncomfortable with, and I did." 

Dancing partner Cheryl Burke was visibly shaken and said, "I'm shocked. I'm hurt for Ryan. He's an amazing guy."

Ann Inaba took to her Instagram shortly after the incident to say: "We had a bit of a scary moment during tonight's live taping of @dancingabc, but thanks to our security team and incredible staff at #DWTS, no one got hurt. Only positive energy here tonight and always. Thank you. #dancingwiththestars #security #grateful #dwtspremiere #dwts23."

ABC did not respond to a request for comment.