American swimmer Ryan Lochte has vowed to remain on reality television program Dancing With The Stars despite receiving a barrage of criticism.

The 32-year-old – who has won 12 Olympic medals – left the Rio Games in disgrace after admitting he “over-exaggerated” a story about being robbed and held at gunpoint after a party in the Brazilian city.

Lochte’s tall tale became into an international incident, with Brazilian authorities seething after it emerged the American and some of his swimming teammates vandalised a petrol station bathroom, and he was later banned by the United States Olympic Committee for 10 months.

After eventually leaving Brazil, Lochte signed up for the American version of DWTS, only to be the subject of a two-man protest during last week’s performance. The pair stormed the stage and Lochte acknowledged afterwards that he “wanted to quit”.

But with the support of his Playboy model girlfriend Kayla Rae Reid – who he announced he has just moved in with – and his mother, Lochte said he will defy his critics and remain on the show as he tries to turn his life around.

The five-time Olympic gold medallist told People that he was grateful for the pair’s support, “especially my girlfriend, because I’m living with her now”.

“She’s definitely just been so supportive,” he added.

“And my mom is calling me non-stop. I’m like, ‘Mom, stop calling me! I’m okay. I’m okay’. She’s like, ‘I’m just making sure you’re okay!’

“The love that they’re showing has definitely really helped.

“I’m not the one to quit so I’m not going to quit. I’m going to keep my head up and keep going.”

When Lochte and Reid starting dating is unclear.

Reid often shares photos with Lochte on social media. Photo: Instagram

Reid hinted the pair met on Tinder in a Daily Mail piece that said they had been seeing each other since March. But in August, Lochte said he was still single.

Lochte believes a positive mindset is important for him as he sits out of swimming until the middle of next year.

“If I stay positive and I keep moving forward, hopefully they’ll [detractors] keep seeing that and seeing how I want to become better, and I want to change and how they aren’t going to break me down. They won’t,” he added to People.

“I’m just going to stay positive and keep going.”

Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps have been long-time friends and teammates. Photo: Getty

Lochte – who had to forfeit $US100,000 in prize money after winning gold in Rio – will miss next year’s swimming world championships as part of his ban.

Lochte said a man posing as a police officer robbed him and his teammates while they were coming back from a party in a taxi.

Brazilian police later said a video showed a security official pulling his weapon to restrain a drunk and angry Lochte and his teammates because they tried to leave a petrol station after smashing up its bathroom – an incident the star took “full responsibility” for.

He lost four major sponsors as a result of the incident, including Speedo USA and Ralph Lauren.