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Rio steps up Olympic security; Media bus hit

One US journalist later stated her belief that the bus came under fire from a handgun.

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Police say they believe the bus was hit by rocks, and are investigating the incident.

“The bus will be subjected to an official inspection by the police”.

The incident took place in the neighborhood of Curicica, close to the main Olympic Park and media center. She said she was a retired US air force captain and is working in Rio for a basketball publication.

“They should add that to the Olympic Games”.

“I mean we could hear the report of the gun”. ‘Pop, pop.’ I am a retired Air Force captain, as well as former federal prosecutor; I own a handgun for personal protection, and have spent plenty of time on the range. “I immediately knew we were taking small-arms gunfire”.

Britain’s Press Association on Wednesday quoted Lee Michaelson, who was on the bus Tuesday, as saying that she instinctively hit the floor when she heard the sound of gunfire and “hollered to the others. There was no immediate reaction; I think people were stunned and confused”.

There was evidence of increased patrols on Wednesday morning with a number of police patrols lined along the route from one of the media accommodation villages to the main transport mall on the Olympic Park.

Three people on board suffered minor injuries as windows shattered after being hit.

There were suggestions the coach had been shot at, but these have been dismissed by security chief Luiz Fernando Correa after an initial forensic sweep by police showed the bus had been hit by rocks.

In a statement, the organizers of the Games shared details of the driver’s report on the incident.

According to Michaelson, there was no first aid available on the bus, and neither the police officer nor the bus driver offered any medical assistance to the injured passengers. When he checked his rear view mirror, he found the journalists were lying on the ground. He continued to drive for a few metres until he saw a police auto and stopped. “After a couple of minutes we had a police escort”.

Athletes, diplomats and sports officials have been robbed, there have been a spate of thefts at the Olympic Village, security forces have performed at least two controlled explosions at sports venues and a local man was shot dead after the opening ceremony when he tried to mug a senior security official.

CNN has contacted Michaelson and Zhol for comment.

On Saturday a bullet pierced the roof of the media tent at the Olympic Equestrian Centre – which is located near a military compound.

On Saturday a bullet landed at the feet of photographers at Rio’s equestrian venue, with security forces concluding that the missile was sacked at a police blimp from a local community.

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He said the bullet arrived with low energy and low speed.

Taiwan's Guan-lin is silhouetted as he prepares