In the wake of the Lochte situation, as well as an unnamed British athlete having been robbed this week, the Australian contingency has also now been involved in an incident in 2016 Olympic Games host city Rio de Janeiro.
Swimmers Josh Palmer and Emma McKeon went out on Tuesday, August 16th in Copacabana, reportedly against Australian Olympic Committee protocol. While out, Palmer told officials he was ‘approached by a man who forced him to withdraw $1000 from a nearby ATM.’ (Sydney Morning Herald)
AOC Chef de Mission, Kitty Chiller, has disciplined the swimmers in the form of their being prohibited from participating in the Closing Ceremony slated for Sunday, August 21st. Moving forward, both McKeon and Palmer must remain in the Athletes’ Village between the hours of 8pm and 8am and ‘only travel to sporting events in official Rio 2016 transport.’
“Palmer and McKeon’s behavior was unacceptable and they breached disciplinary protocols. I have raised the need for the Swimming Team Leader to ensure he is aware of his athlete’s whereabouts when leaving the Olympic Village and that the swimming athletes observe the 2am curfew. “ (Sydney Morning Herald)
Palmer competed for Australia in the men’s 100m breaststroke, where he finished 30th after heats in a time of 1:01.13. McKeon was one of Australia’s most successful aquatic Olympians, having claimed a bronze in the women’s 200m freestyle, silvers across the women’s 4×200 and freestyle and 4×100 medley relays, as well as earning gold on the World Record-breaking 4x100m freestyle relay.
Emma McKeon I chose a athlete for my report and I chose you Em I love you so much
Em is the most amazing athlete I have ever seen
I don’t think mckeon was robbed, was she? It looks like she was disciplined for staying out all night without telling anyone, but no mention of her actually being robbed.
The article implied that both mckeon and palmer were out on the night together. But the robber forced only Palmer to withdraw the money from atm.
I do not think any Americans should ever go to Brazil as tourists. It is not our country, so why go there. Brazil is sending a very clear message that Americans are not welcome, so we should honor the Brazilian wishes in this matter and never go there.
except these two were aussies
jingoism. look it up.
How is it jingoism for an American to say Brazil is not our country and we should not go there? I noticed a pattern involving athletes from the US, Australia, and also Great Britain. If anything, that would be the opposite of jingoism.
ummmm. ok.
Brazil: “If we’re going to get blamed for mugging olympians, we might as well start mugging olympians.”
Anyone else thinking about how the late night scheduled for swimming events has contributed to these swimmers being out late? If they had not been forced to adjust to this late-night schedule perhaps being out after 2am wouldn’t be so tempting. Just a thought.
I see where you’re coming from, but I don’t really think it’s a factor. Regardless of time zone or sleep schedule, there are a good number of people who are gonna wanna cut loose and party after months/years of discipline and sacrifice (especially after winning medals).
Not another one!
I wonder if the Brazilian authorities will put as much effort into finding these robbers as they are into the us case.