Things apparently remain complicated between Ryan Lochte and his estranged wife, Kayla Reid Lochte.
Videos by FanBuzz
This time, the disagreement centers around Lochte's new coaching job at Missouri State University — and what the move could mean for their three children.
Lochte recently announced he's joining Missouri State's swim program, a fresh start professionally after a difficult year personally. But according to TMZ, sources close to Kayla believe the distance could be tough on the couple's young kids, who will remain in Gainesville, Florida, with her.
And honestly, it's not exactly a short commute.
Springfield, Missouri, sits roughly 15 hours by car from Gainesville.
Sources close to Kayla told TMZ her focus remains on stability and emotional well-being for the children, especially because they're still too young to fully understand long-distance parenting arrangements.
Lochte, though, says he fully intends to stay involved.
"I will be back every single month to see my kids," he told TMZ, adding he plans to spend holidays, breaks and summers with them as well.
The former Olympic star also gave more insight into why he wanted the move in the first place. His comments were pretty blunt.
"Gainesville hates me," Lochte said, while also claiming he and his current girlfriend, Molly Gillihan, have dealt with ongoing harassment and bullying tied to the split.
According to Lochte, the past year has been emotionally draining. He claimed Gillihan even lost her job after people allegedly contacted her employer over rumors surrounding the relationship. Lochte has denied accusations that the relationship began before the marriage ended.
For her part, sources close to Kayla told TMZ she is trying to keep things respectful and avoid public drama while focusing on co-parenting.
Lochte also claimed he offered Kayla the family's Gainesville home, its contents and $25,000 if the children could relocate with him to Missouri. That proposal apparently went nowhere.
Now, Lochte says coaching represents more than just a job. He views it as the beginning of the next phase of his life.
"I have to start this coaching job to be where I need to be for them," he said of his children. "I love them."
