Ryan Lochte compared to Ellen de Generes after unveiling new hair colour at Rio Olympics

IT was supposed to be “bluish grey” but US swimmer Ryan Lochte’s new hairdo has set social media alight and earned him comparisons to a US talk show favourite.

US swimmer Ryan Lochte and his new hair colour at a press conference

IT was supposed to be “bluish grey” but US swimmer Ryan Lochte’s latest attempt to be different has just made him look like Ellen de Generes.

The US Olympian, well known for his foray into TV with his own reality show “What would Ryan Lochte do” as well as wearing a mouth “grill” when on the podium collecting medals, has set the tone for a wacky Rio Games by dying his hair.

Lochte left his grill at home so instead asked the hairdresser to colour his hair. It didn’t quite go to plan.

Rio ready!! 🛫 #2016 #olympics #usa https://t.co/OHkuu0AUJ0 pic.twitter.com/OcaSSKVVFZ

— Ryan Lochte (@RyanLochte) August 1, 2016

Lochte’s new do has earned him comparisons to Ellen de Genere

“I really don’t know,” Lochte deadpanned when asked the exact colour of his hair.

“Usually I’ve always worn my grills at the Olympics and I left my grills at home so I thought I’ve got to do something different. So I said why not my hair.

“It’s a bold statement but it’s different and that’s me, that’s my personality just to be different. I like it.

“I get a lot of questions saying ‘oh you’re having your grey hair covered’ which is true, but I wasn’t full grey. It’s greyish blue.”

Originally published as Ryan Lochte compared to Ellen de Generes after unveiling new hair colour at Rio Olympics