Following controversy over Ryan Lochte and other U.S. swimmers’ reports of a robbery, reports of crime against athletes during the 2016 Games are continuing, with a member of the British Olympic team saying he was held at gunpoint while out in Rio early Tuesday morning.
According to a report from The Guardian, the (anonymous) athlete was “out on the town” when he was held up. The athlete is physically OK but was shook up. The attack caused Great Britain officials to warn its athletes about leaving the country’s Olympic village and said that it wouldn’t be worth the risk.
Thus far, British officials have yet to address the issue publicly. However, The Guardian was able to get ahold of a letter sent to athletes that warned them of the dangers of leaving the team area.
The letter told athletes that “following a significant security incident overnight,” they must follow a number of protocols, including not wearing Team GB kit out of the village and not taking taxis, for their own safety.
The letter, which has been seen by the Guardian, also warns athletes they must “avoid leaving the village after dark in anything other than British Olympic Association/Local Organising Committee/UK Athletics transport – taxis cannot be considered safe late at night. If you are planning on going out after dark and have no way of returning other than via taxi, do not go out.”
It also tells them of the dangers of going out on the town, and tells them they must inform officials before they go out.
“Do not go out of the village wearing TeamGB kit or carry anything of value unless absolutely unavoidable – this makes you too big a target for theft/crime,” it adds. “You MUST inform a member of team management if you are leaving the village and planning on staying out overnight – please do this BEFORE you leave.”
The biggest concern for British officials is with the athletes who are finished competing at this year’s Games. Once athletes are done, it’s widely expected they would want to spend time exploring the Brazilian city before heading home. However, with this scare and others, officials are warning athletes about the city and are advising them to take precautions.
The letter then concludes by warning athletes that they might be better not going out in Rio because of the dangers of crime and theft.
“Rio is NOT a safe environment, and the level of crime has spiked in the last few days,” it adds. “Think very carefully about whether it is worth the risk of leaving the village to celebrate after you have finished competing – BOA/UKA staff cannot guarantee your safety when away from the village/British School/British House. Our strong advice is that it is simply not worth the risk given the current climate in Rio.”
This incident is one of a number of incidents of crime that has occurred in Rio involving those participating in the Olympics. A member of the Belgian judo team was assaulted on Copacabana beach, and we are still working to figure out the details involving that incident that featured Lochte.
There have been so many historic moments in this year’s Olympics. However, it’s hard not to pay attention to the safety of the athletes when incidents are popping up left and right.
