Police probe after ‘GB athlete is robbed in Rio’

DETECTIVES in Brazil have launched an investigation after reports that a Team GB athlete was robbed on a night out in Rio de Janeiro.

The inquiry is under way even though the crime was not officially reported to police and the details are shrouded in mystery.

A Team GB source said the unnamed athlete did not want to press charges because there ‘may have been a bit of embarrassment’ over the incident, which happened on Tuesday.

However, it was reported to the British consulate and Team GB say they will ‘liaise with police’ if contacted.

The news led to a warning to athletes that it is ‘not worth the risk’ leaving the Olympic village.

Earlier in the Games, four American swimmers, including Ryan Lochte, said they were robbed at gunpoint while returning to the Olympic village from a party.

That was also not reported to Rio police, who later discovered the claims were untrue, and that Lochte had instead vandalised a petrol station while drunk.

There is no suggestion the Team GB case is similar, but after investing in 88,000 security personnel to protect the Olympics, Brazilian officials are keen to protect the image of the Games and to get to the bottom of any reports of crime against athletes.

Initial reports said a gun was involved, but this was denied by the British Olympic Association, which said: ‘It was a theft and the athlete is safe.’