Team GB have been enjoying huge success at the Rio 2016 Olympics, but their athletes and officials were shocked when they learnt that one of their members was held at gunpoint while enjoying nightlife in Rio. It understood the person in question was shocked but was not seriously hurt.
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The athlete, not yet named, was on a night out in the city when the attack took place.
British officials responded to the alleged incident Tuesday morning with an e-mail to athletes warning them that it is “not worth the risk” to leave the Olympic village. In addition, they were told they “MUST inform a member of team management if you are leaving the village and planning on staying out overnight – please do this BEFORE you leave”.
United States swimming star Ryan Lochte and three team-mates have also become embroiled in controversy over an alleged gunpoint robbery by men posing as police officers.
“But accounts of what happened to the swimmers have been confusing from the beginning”, the BBC reports, as there appear to be numerous inconsistencies in their initial report. Americans for Tax Reform has drafted a petition to urge the House of Representatives to follow.”Most countries subsidize their athletes; the very least we can do is make sure our athletes don’t get hit with a tax bill for winning”, said New York Sen.
Compared to most countries, Team GB are having a spectacular Olympics as they are now an historic second in the medal table. Athletes must pay taxes on these rewards when they bring them back into the U.S. The rewards are taxed as income, meaning that the rate depends on the rest of the athlete’s 2016 income. “Skills-wise the gap between us and China is simply too big, so this is the first time I’ve not felt pressure while playing a match”.
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CCTV footage, though, has emerged in the Brazilian media of Feigen and Lochte returning to the village much later than they claimed and Lochte’s wallet, which was supposed to have been stolen, passing through the security check. With that said, medalists in lower brackets will have to fork over less money, but it’s a tax on the worldwide sports glory they earned for their country, nonetheless. Police say they have found little evidence so far to support the claims, and that the swimmers were unable to provide key details in interviews.
