Hickey’s arrest is part of a much larger investigation on tickets that were allotted to Ireland and were being sold illegally at the Rio Games.
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Brazilian police have arrested the top European Olympic official in Rio earlier today because of his involvement with illegal ticket sales.
The organisation said: “In light of this morning’s developments and his ill health, Mr Hickey has taken the decision to step aside temporarily as president of the OCI and all other Olympic functions (IOC member in Ireland, EOC president, ANOC vice president) until this matter is fully resolved”.
Police are also looking for two soccer agents and a financial adviser at Pro 10 Sports Management, which investigators allege was created to facilitate the transfer of tickets between the Irish Olympic committee and THG, an unauthorized ticket seller.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is awaiting the outcome of the probe.
Hickey’s wife had told cops he had left for Ireland – but they found him in nearby room registered to his son and found him there.
But in a search of the room they said they found Mr Hickey’s passport and initiated a search in the rest of the hotel whose entrances had been secured by armed police.
The 71-year-old Hickey, who has temporarily stepped aside as President of the Olympic Council of Ireland is expected to be questioned by Police after his release from hospital.
It is being claimed in Brazil that Hickey’s arrest is linked to fellow Irishman Kevin James Mallon, who was picked up on the day of the opening ceremony with 800 first-class tickets.
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said that the allegations were being centered on 1,000 tickets belonging to the Irish National Olympic Committee. On Wednesday, after Hickey’s arrest, the OCI stopped repeating that sentiment. The OCI name was visible on tickets displayed by police, but the Irish said they had no knowledge of the people in custody.
According to The Irish Times, Mallon worked at sports hospitality company THG Sports which was the OCI’s authorised ticket reseller for the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi.
A spokesman for the OCI said he was aware of the reports in Brazilian media and awaiting official confirmation.
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After the first arrests last week, the Olympic Council of Ireland said it would investigate why some of its tickets were in the possession of the suspects.
