China warns after attacks on Olympic delegates in Rio

World Today

Members of the Chinese olympic team arrive to the Rio de Janeiro International Airport in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, July 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

China has issued a safety warning to Chinese visiting Rio de Janeiro for the Olympics following a spate of thefts and armed robberies committed against its athletes, officials, members of the media and others.

The Foreign Ministry said Friday that visitors should avoid dangerous areas of the city, leave their luxury watches at home and not carry backpacks or talk on mobile phones while walking in the street.

It advises that in the event of a robbery, people stay calm and avoid arguing with the perpetrators.

Athletes from China’s Olympic team were met with flag-waving supporters at Rio de Janeiro’s airport on Thursday ahead of next week’s Olympic Games.

Coach of the Chinese shooting team, Wang Yifu, was upbeat on arrival describing the work of the organising committee as “very efficient”.

Athletes from other countries have been steadily arriving in Rio de Janeiro in the past two days ahead of the games which start on August 5.

China’s delegation of athletes and officials in Rio numbers 711 people; the largest for the nation aside from 2008 when it hosted in Beijing.