Ryan Lochte Has Been Suspended for 10 Months

Ryan Lochte just got his punishment for his Rio gas station hijinks, and we're told the U.S. Olympic Committee was tough, but not career-ending.

USOC-connected sources tell TMZ Sports ... Lochte has been suspended for 10 months. There are additional sanctions.

We're told the punishment was handed down not just by the USOC but by the IOC and USA Swimming as well.

The punishment is harsher than Michael Phelps' 6 month suspension for his 2 DUIs. The punishment was debated within the USOC, because Phelps put people's lives at risk and Lochte arguably didn't lie about a material fact. We're told some of the USOC decision makers felt Lochte's punishment was too severe.

The other 3 swimmers involved in the Rio incident were also suspended, but for less time. At least one of them got a 4 month suspension.