Dirk Van Tichelt, the Belgian Olympian, was mugged on Copacabana Beach on Monday, only hours after claiming his Olympic medal.
Van Tichelt claimed bronze in the seventy-three kilogram judo tournament, and – as is customary in Brazil – decided to celebrate on the beach. The Olympic Committee from Belgium reported that Van Tichelt had been mugged, but did not need any hospital treatment.
Apparently, Van Tichelt had his mobile phone stolen, after being punched in the face. Reports suggest that two criminals were involved in the incident, and that the assailant who punched Van Tichelt was an accomplice of the man who took the phone.
Thankfully, Van Tichelt’s bronze medal was not stolen during the attack. On Tuesday, he posted a photograph online, showing him holding his medal sporting a black eye.
During the Olympic Games, Copacabana Beach (which is where the beach volleyball event takes place) has been frequented by party goers. Amongst all of Rio’s well documented problems, it seemed to be a welcome bright spot.
Just twenty-four hours after the incident involving Van Tichelt, a media bus departing an Olympic event is said to have been shot at.
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