A brazen attempted robbery in Paris has left two Australian Olympic broadcast team members shaken, just days before the start of the Games. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon in the northeastern municipality of Le Bourget, where the two tech staffers were walking to their accommodations.
According to Nine Entertainment, a group of individuals approached the pair and attempted to steal their backpacks, sparking a scuffle when the thieves were unsuccessful. The altercation was reportedly intense, with no weapons used, but resulting in a “serious physical nature” of the assault.
The victims, who have not been named, managed to escape but were left “shaken up” by the ordeal. Nine Entertainment reporter Christine Ahern described the incident as a clear attempt at robbery, with the attackers targeting the backpacks.
The incident has prompted an internal warning from Nine Entertainment sports director Brent Williams, cautioning crew members to exercise caution when commuting to the broadcast center. The warning comes as Australian athletes have already been advised to be vigilant while in Paris, with reports of a 25-year-old Australian woman being allegedly gang-raped by a group of men in a nightclub district just 48 hours prior.
The woman, who was found in a stunned state outside a kebab shop, was later seen on CCTV footage seeking shelter in the shop, only to be approached by one of her alleged attackers. Australian chef de mission Anna Meares described the incident as “horrific” and expressed concern for the victim’s well-being.
The incidents have cast a shadow over the Olympic preparations, with Australian athletes facing a series of logistical challenges. Reports have emerged of athletes being driven to the wrong venues, with lengthy commutes on buses lacking air conditioning and windows that cannot be rolled down. Meares described the situation as “less than ideal,” citing disruptions to athletes’ schedules and missed recovery time.
Australian authorities have advised citizens to exercise extreme caution while in Paris, with athletes warned not to travel alone or wear their uniforms outside of the Olympic Village.
