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Sports Breaking

Paralympic athlete robbery in Rio raises Olympic security concerns

Two members of the Australian Paralympic sailing team have been robbed at gunpoint in Rio de Janeiro, emphasizing fears of crime against foreign athletes ahead of the Summer Olympics.

A statement from the Australian Sailing team said athlete Liesl Tesch and team official Sarah Ross were confronted by two men while riding their bicycles in a Rio park Sunday. One of the men was carrying a pistol and the women were robbed of their bicycles.

In the statement Monday, Tesch is quoted as saying “We are both shaken, but physically we’re both OK.”

Tesch raced at the Paralympic sailing venue later that day.

Brazilian police are investigating.

High crime, slow preparations and a Zika outbreak have led some to question Rio’s hosting of the Aug. 5-21 Olympic Games.

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