Australian Rowing Coaches Robbed at Knifepoint on Rio Beach

Two teenagers, one of them brandishing a long knife, grabbed the coaches by their throats in the Friday incident and pushed them against the wall

Australia's Olympic delegation is calling for tighter beach security after two rowing coaches were robbed at knifepoint near Rio's iconic Ipanema beach. 

Two teenagers, one of them brandishing a long knife, grabbed the coaches by their throats in the Friday incident and pushed them against the wall. Australian Olympic Committee spokesman Mike Tancred said the coaches followed security protocol, didn't offer any resistance and quickly handed over their wallets and mobile phones. One had an official Australian delegation blazer taken.

Neither coach was seriously hurt and Tancred said they kept the incident quiet until late Saturday so as not to disturb the athletes in the first day of competition. 

The incident comes after the theft of $40,000 worth of equipment belonging to an Australian photographer covering the games. 

There was also a scare at the Olympic Equestrian Center as a military bullet pierced the roof of the media tent and landed on the floor.

The incident occurred during the lunch break at the dressage event Saturday. The competition was not disrupted and nobody was hurt.

The bullet landed inches from one of the media tables at the end of the room where the press conferences are held, leaving a clear hole in the roof. An official statement is expected shortly.

The arena is located near a military compound.

Another security scare in Rio on Saturday occurred when a small blast was heard near the finish line of the men's cycling road race. An officer assigned to the event told The Associated Press that it was a controlled explosion of an unattended bag.

And Friday night, eyewitnesses said a man was shot dead near the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro after the Olympic opening ceremony. Associated Press photographers reported hearing loud multiple gun shots, forcing games volunteers and others leaving the ceremony to duck for cover behind cars. Paramedics were later seen treating the victim as blood poured from his body onto the road.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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