Australia have found a powerful ally in their bid to convince Games organisers to bring forward their Rio Olympic security plans, but they might have to chuck in some toilet paper as a sweetener.
Australia's Olympic chef de mission Kitty Chiller has called on Rio Games organisers to mobilise their security forces early after the gunpoint robbery of Paralympic sailor Liesl Tesch and physiotherapist Sarah Ross.
Chiller says the International Olympic Committee supports Australia's stance, revealing the IOC forwarded on her letter of concern to try to put further pressure on Games organisers to act swiftly.
So far, the requests have been met with silence.
And it seems the situation in Rio is only deteriorating, with police and firefighters in protest mode this week amid claims of late or non-payments.
Brazil is experiencing its worst recession in decades.
Reports have emerged about Rio's security forces begging for donations of pens, cleaning supplies and even toilet paper because of a lack of funding.
Police patrols have been slashed because of a lack of money for fuel, while helicopters are grounded.
Visitors to Rio Airport this week were given a shock on arrival when confronted with a police protest banner reading: "Welcome to Hell. Police and firefighters don't get paid. Whoever comes to Rio de Janeiro will not be safe."
Chiller said she was yet to hear back from her "Friend - the Mayor of Rio" about Australia's security concerns.
But she again urged Games organisers to put extra security in place now to minimise the risk to athletes.
"They have promised an 85,000-strong security force and I'm confident that, at Games time, there will be sufficient police and security presence to ensure that all our team members are safe," Chiller said on Wednesday in Perth.
"My request is they consider bringing that forward. Obviously, every day that goes by is one less day for them to bring it forward.
"The IOC have forwarded my letter to the organising committee, basically supporting the stance and the requests that we made, and asking the organising committee to consider those requests and to respond to us, which we haven't seen yet."
Chiller believes Rio's Games organisers have taken Australia's concerns seriously, but she understands the tough financial climate facing Brazil have made things more difficult.
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