British athlete robbed at gunpoint in Rio, reports say

Team GB athletes have been warned not to wear official British kit or anything of value outside of the Olympic village.
British athlete robbed at gunpoint in Rio, reports say
Police officers stand next to the Olympic Flame in Rio. Credit: Getty Images

A British athlete competing at the Rio Olympics was robbed at gunpoint Tuesday morning while returning to their accommodation, the Guardian reported.

The unnamed victim, who was enjoying a night out on the town, was left "in shock but not seriously hurt."

A spokesman for the British Olympic team confirmed the "incident of theft."


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"All members of our delegation, including the individual concerned, are accounted for, and are safe and well," it said.

British athletes in Rio have been warned with a letter not to wear official GB kit or anything of value outside of the Olympic village and not to take local cabs.

The letter also warns athletes to inform a member of team management of any plans to stay overnight in Rio.

"Rio is NOT a safe environment, and the level of crime has spiked in the last few days," the letter said.

"Think very carefully about whether it is worth the risk of leaving the village to celebrate after you have finished competing – [British Olympic Association/UK Athletics] staff cannot guarantee your safety when away from the village/British School/British House."

The incident comes after U.S. swimmers Ryan Lochte, James Feigen, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger claimed they were robbed at gunpoint while out and about early Sunday morning.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) denied this, but the United States Olympic Committee later confirmed Lochte's account.

In the latest development, two of the swimmers -- Bentz and Conger -- were pulled from their flight back to the United States for questioning and released hours later.

Brazilian authorities are skeptical of Lochte's allegations after he changed a few details from his story. They've also been unable to track down the taxi driver involved or find further evidence to corroborate the swimmers' accounts.

Topics Olympics

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