Theft involving Team GB athlete confirmed at Olympics in Rio

A British athlete was robbed while returning to the Team GB accommodation in Rio on Tuesday, it has been confirmed.

A spokesman for the British Olympic Association backed up a newspaper report which said the unnamed competitor was involved in an incident in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The spokesman confirmed there had been "an incident of theft", and it is understood the athlete in question was robbed.

"All members of our delegation, including the individual concerned, are accounted for and are safe and well," the spokesman added.

Team GB members were given guidelines on staying safe in Rio during the Games and were warned to use official transport and avoid wearing their kit outside camp.

The emailed advice read: "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.

"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."

The Rio games has seen a number of incidents involving athletes.

Team GB long jump star Greg Rutherford said he was targeted at the weekend when his mobile phone, which contained images of his young son, was stolen.

American swimmers Ryan Lochte and James Feigen are the subject of an ongoing investigation over allegations they were robbed, meanwhile.

And in a separate incident Australian swimmers Josh Palmer and Emma McKeon have been disciplined and barred from attending the closing ceremony after failing to return to camp on Tuesday night.