Australia bans Olympians from Rio beaches at night due to safety concerns

Australians are taking extra precautions after crimes against Olympic athletes.

Australian Olympians are being told to avoid Rio’s famed beaches due to concerns about crime. 

Aussie chef de mission Kitty Chiller said Sunday that the country’s athletes are not allowed on the beaches of Ipanema or Copacabana after nightfall. 

“We’ve introduced some further security and safety protocols for those people traveling especially to Copa and Ipanema area to ensure above all else we retain all our team members safely and securely,” Chiller said, according to The Courier Mail.

Chiller also said Australians will not be allowed to travel by foot after dark, no matter how short the distance. 

The decision comes shortly after four American swimmers, including Ryan Lochte, were robbed at gunpoint.