Olympic athletes released in Rio

Sat, Aug 20, 2016, 9:28 AM
Matt Lewis
by Matt Lewis
Ed Jenkins has been detained in Rio. Photo: Getty Images
Ed Jenkins has been detained in Rio. Photo: Getty Images

Australian men's Sevens captain Ed Jenkins and nine other Olympic athletes have been released after being detained in Rio overnight.

Jenkins and the others allegedly tampered with their accreditation to gain entry into Saturday morning's Boomers basketball semi-final but were ultimately fined and released on goof behaviour bonds.

The group were reportedly taken to a police station opposite Olympic Park for questioning, before being released at 2:40am local time to face a magistrate.

AOC chief executive Fiona De Jong fronted media late into the night in Rio, saying the issue was ongoing.

"Earlier this evening, a number of Australian athletes went to support their mates at the Australia versus Serbia match," she said.

"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."

Brazilian authorities have been taking security threats incredibly seriously, particularly in the wake of the recent saga over American swimmer Ryan Lochte's night out.

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