Brazil police says stray bullet was not targeting media

By Associated Press 07 August 2016, 12:00AM

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The bullet which flew through the roof of a media tent at the Olympic Equestrian Center on Saturday was just "an unfortunate incident," Brazilian military and police said.

There was a scare during the lunch break at the eventing dressage on the first day of the games as a military-looking bullet pierced the roof of the tent and landed on the floor. The competition was not disrupted and nobody was hurt.

"Authorities are investigating: the type of bullet, the distance, where it comes from, why it comes here," organizing committee spokesman Mario Andrada said.

"The first information that we got is that they can clearly determine this area was not the target, it was a stray bullet. They can confirm it has nothing to do with the games but they cannot be more precise at the moment."

The bullet landed close to one of the media tables at the end of the room where news conferences are held, leaving a clear hole in the roof.

"Obviously this is a worrying situation and is not an incident we can take lightly as the safety of everyone at our venue - athletes, horses, media and spectators - is of prime importance," FEI president Ingmar De Vos said in a statement.

"The Rio 2016 organizing committee have told us that the three authorities involved in security in Brazil, the military, civil police and national guard, have stated categorically that our venue was not the target, and that this incident has nothing to do with the games."

Andrada refused to speculate on where the bullet could have been fired from but said the entire competition venue is situated on military land.

"As soon as we have information we will disclose that, especially where it comes from, why it got here and what kind of bullet it was," Andrada added. "In the meantime, all the authorities have assured us that they have reinforced security around this area.

"More than one source in the different security areas have emphasized that they have 100 percent assurance that it has nothing to do with the games and with the presence of the Olympic family and the press in this area."

The incident came shortly after bomb-disposal experts blew up an unattended bag near the finish line of the men's road cycling race.

"We have to react to a global worry," Andrada said. "We're not living in an easy moment so the authorities opted for the safe side. In a way it's good that they opt for the safe side, independently to the fact that this generates tension on the communication front. We'd rather have the security in perfect shape than the communications.

"I understand it was a backpack that someone forgot."

In the arena, William Fox-Pitt leads after the first day of the eventing competition, just 10 months after being put into an induced coma following a fall.

Fox-Pitt, who only returned to competitive action in early April, rode Chilli Morning to a score of 37.

Christopher Burton of Australia and Santano II are second, 0.6 penalties behind the Briton, with reigning Olympic individual champion Michael Jung third with 40.9 aboard Sam FBW.

Germany, which is bidding for a third straight Olympic title, leads the team competition, with Australia second and Britain third.

By Associated Press 07 August 2016, 12:00AM
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