Ten Australian athletes have been fined by Brazilian police after they went to watch the Boomers basketball team play Serbia and were removed shortly afterwards and detained by authorities.
An earlier allegation of tampering with accreditation by the athletes to gain entry was later described as a mistake by Australian Olympic Committee lawyer Fiona de Jong who spoke to the media after the athletes were released.
"A mistake was made this evening. Athletes accessed the Olympic venue without the correct accreditation. We have apologised for that mistake before the magistrate and prosecutor," Ms de Jong said.
"We have agreed on an outcome, which is the payment of a fine and a good behaviour bond for each of the athletes involved. We are particularly grateful for everyone's co-operation and assistance through the process."
She also denied that anyone had been arrested or charged after earlier reports said the athletes had been arrested by police.
News Corp reported the athletes, from at least three different sports, were detained by police at the event and taken away for questioning.
Fairfax Media reported that as rugby sevens captain Ed Jenkins, cyclist Matthew Glaetzer, archer Alec Potts and rowers Lucy Stephen and Fiona Albert were among those involved.
Earlier Australian team boss Mike Tancred confirmed to News Corp that police were questioning nine athletes for tampering with their accreditations.
"It’s really a matter for the IOC as they’re in charge of accreditations," Tancred said.
"If you tamper with accreditations it is their problem."
