Rio Olympics 2016: Security concerns for Australian athletes

AUSTRALIAN Federal Police are advising Australia’s Olympic team on a range of security contingencies to protect athletes and officials in Brazil.

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AUSTRALIAN Federal Police are advising Australia’s Olympic team on a range of security contingencies to protect athletes and officials in Brazil.

The move follows concerns about a funding crisis that is crippling Rio’s police force, and the country’s continual crime wave.

The Australian Olympics Committee has banned Australia’s 400-plus athletes from visiting areas of Rio de Janeiro, specifically the favelas, or shanty towns, where 75 per cent of the population lives.

The risk of a terrorist attack at the Rio Olympics next month was rated at “low to ­medium”, a security source connected with the Games told the Herald Sun.

“The incidence of violent crime, including muggings, armed robbery, kidnappings and sexual assault, is significant,” Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has warned in its general travel advice.

The alert specifically notes the risk of “express kidnappings” in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Salvador and Recife.

A Rio visitor takes in the view from the terrace at the Tiki Hostel in the Cantagalo "favela" community. Picture: Mario Tama/Getty Images

The Australian team’s ­security director is Greg Nance, a former officer in Australian commando and Special Air Service Regiments, who also had the security role at the London Games.

“Greg will work with the police, army and the different agencies in Rio and report to us on security matters,” AOC media director Mike Tancred said. “He will also brief all athletes and officials in our team as they arrive in Rio.

“The favelas are off limits ... there are 200 favelas in Rio and there is no way we could keep track of our athletes if they start roaming in those areas.”

Australian Paralympian Liesl Tesch and her physio were robbed at gunpoint last month in what was considered a safe area in Rio.

Originally published as Rio Olympics 2016: Security concerns for Australian athletes