British Athlete Robbed At Gunpoint, GB Olympic Committee Asks Athletes To Take Extra Precautions

Just as it was determined that Ryan Lochte and the three other swimmers for Team USA could have fabricated the story about being robbed at gunpoint, a British athlete has reported to have been robbed at gunpoint. The athlete is unnamed but according to USA Today  was held at gunpoint while coming home from the bar early Tuesday morning.

The athlete who was robbed was not physically injured or harmed but was in shock, according to The Guardian.

Officials from Great Britain’s track and field team sent out an e-mail early Wednesday morning urging athletes to take extra precautions and try to avoid taking taxis late at night. It further asked athletes not to leave the village unless necessary or unless they could take official transportation and were asked not to wear official Great Britain Olympic gear outside of the village. The letter explained the dangers of going out and that if they do leave the Village they must inform officials before leaving.

According to The Guardian the letter also asked athletes to attend a security briefing seminar after they have finished their competition. “This is absolutely essential – there are no excuses for not attending. If you can’t make the morning after you finish, go the morning after that – this is for your own safety.”

The letter finishes by asking athletes to err on the side of caution and not go out at all. “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.”

Other National Olympic Committees have put curfews in place in light of these security issues. GB Committee says it hasn’t put a ban on leaving the village yet, but if further incidents occur they likely will.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 17: Great Britain fans show there support during the Women’s Semifinal match between New Zealand andGreat Britain on Day 12 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Hockey Centre on August 17, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)