Police detain Aussie athletes
Ten Australian athletes have been detained by Brazilian police after allegedly altering their accreditation to gain entry to the Boomers’ basketball game on Friday night (local time).
An AOC spokesman confirmed that athletes from a number of sports – including cycling, rugby and rowing – were taken to a police station near the Olympic Park to be questioned by local authorities.
The 10 athletes filed out of the police station at 2.40am and were led to another building to face a judge, where it was hoped their release would be secured. They had already been detained for more than seven hours.
Among the athletes were rugby sevens captain Ed Jenkins, cyclist Matthew Glaetzer, archer Alec Potts as well as rowers Fiona Albert and Lucy Stephen. A number shielded their faces as they were paraded past a large media pack.
AOC head of security Greg Nance arrived at the judge’s chambers at 3.45am as negotiations continued to secure the release of the athletes.
The alleged tampering with accreditations may seem harmless but the document also doubles as a visa to Brazil. If the IOC decides to revoke the accreditations, the athletes would face immediate deportation.
Security has been at a premium at these Games, and Brazilian authorities clearly have not looked kindly upon the athletes’ attempts to bluff their way into the venue.
Fiona de Jong, chief executive of the AOC, said: ‘‘Earlier this evening, a number of Australian athletes went to support their mates at the Australia versus Serbia match.
‘‘Ten of the Australian athletes didn’t have accreditation to be in that part of the venue. The Brazilian authorities and us are working through the issues. Nobody has been arrested and we will provide you with a detailed statement when those discussions have advanced.’’