Security concerns for athletes during this summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games have been increased after an Australian Paralympic gold medallist was robbed at gunpoint in the Rio de Janeiro.
Liesel Tesch has competed in six Paralympics for Australia. She won two silver medals and a bronze between 2000 and 2008 in wheelchair basketball before turning her attentions to sailing.
In London, Tesch turned her attentions to sailing, and won her first gold medal Daniel Fitzgibbon in the two-person SUD 18 competition.
On Monday, the 47-year-old revealed she was robbed at gunpoint, while cycling in the Brazilian city.
I was robbed of my bike at gunpoint at the local bus stop Stay safe! in Rio! All safe.@AusSailingTeam @AUSParalympics
— Liesl Tesch (@LieslTesch) June 20, 2016
Tesch told Australia's Channel Nine that she belived the assailants were looking for money, but only left with two bicycles.
"I think he said 'dinero'. I speak some Spanish, so I lifted up my shirt and showed him I had no money. And then he said something else, but I don't know what he said, lifted the gun up towards me and then pushed me in the shoulder and I just fell down on the cobblestones."
"It was absolutely horrific, I can see it clear as day in my own head."
Tesch reassured her followers on Twitter, that she and Sarah Ross, a physiotherapist with the team, were both shaken but ok.
Safe&secure in Rio. Thanx2 @AusSailingTeam team-m8s who have been totally awesome!!LOVE u guys! LOVE @AUSParalympics On track4September!
— Liesl Tesch (@LieslTesch) June 20, 2016
The incident adds a greater level of scrutiny to security preparations ahead of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games later this year.
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