RIO DE JANEIRO — Citing a spike in petty thefts along Rio's iconic beaches, the Australian Olympic Committee on Sunday ordered its athletes to stay off the sand from sunset to sundown.
The Olympians are still allowed to walk along the crowded beachfront sidewalks and frequent the bars and restaurants that stay open late along Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. But the committee doesn't want them taking moonlight walks along the sand, which can get very dark in parts with minimal lighting and security around.
The ban follows a series of security scares at the Games, including Ryan Lochte and three other U.