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Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark won silver in the Women's 470 class in 2012. PA Archive/Press Association Images

British Olympians robbed at knife point during training visit to Rio ahead of 2016 games

Both athletes were left shaken but unharmed after the incident.

ON THE SAME day that the Brazilian Minister of Sport insisted preparations for the 2016 Rio Olympics were ‘progressing well’, two athletes have been robbed at knife point in the host city.

British sailors Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark – both of whom won silver in London two years ago – endured the ordeal as they walked back from a team training session to the hotel they were staying in.

Two men armed with knives approached the pair near the Marina da Glória sailing venue and threatened them before robbing their personal items as well as their training gear.

“Our delightful walk back from the sailing club to the hotel turned fairly nasty when two guys wielding seven-inch (16.5 cm) knives ran at us, pushed us around and grabbed everything we had,” the sailors said on Facebook.

“Along with the things that were actually worth something, the most annoying thing right now is our lycra we were sailing in got taken… unbelievable!

“Anyway, we made it back to the hotel slightly shaken but all OK.”

Rio will be the first South American city to host the Olympics but just like in the build-up to this year’s World Cup, there are concerns over the safety of the thousands of athletes and fans expected to descend on the city in August 2016.

Aldo Rebelo, the outgoing Minister of Sport, has allayed fears that venues won’t be fit for use despite sailors claiming that the venue for their sport is unsuitable because of the cleanlinesses of the water.

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    Mute Declan Breen
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:19 PM

    Tony Kelly was the difference today to be fair to him he was class

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    Mute Kieran Considine
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:42 PM

    well done Clare ..hon the banner

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    Mute Gary
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 4:59 PM

    That’s Phony Kelly done for the summer

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    Mute Darren Mullins
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:02 PM

    @Gary: you said that last week – good one !

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    Mute Gary
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:03 PM

    @Darren Mullins: I didn’t I’ll have you know
    Must have been someone elseb

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    Mute Gary
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:13 PM

    @Bryan: Incorrect he’s a flake and doesn’t turn up when it matters most
    I’d take Duggan over him every day of the week

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    Mute Eoghan O'Leary
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:21 PM

    @Gary: good man Gary ya legend.

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    Mute Johnny B
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 6:20 PM

    In fairness Tony Kelly has gone missing in some big games with county and club over the last few years. In full flight he’s an absolute pleasure to watch. But consistency of performance has become a bit of an issue, especially on big days. And these bigger days tend to be when the opposition deem him worthy of legitimate and appropriate special attention. In other words,he can on occasion be marked out of it.

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    Mute Robb Stark
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 6:39 PM

    @Gary: He’s a superstar in January, February and March every year.

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    Mute John kane
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 6:39 PM

    @Gary: gowl of a young lad. What did you score today

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    Mute Gary
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 8:05 PM

    @John kane: Imagine calling someone a gowl and then assuming I’m the young lad

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    Mute John kane
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 8:46 PM

    @Gary: imagine there’s no gowls….it’s easy if you try..

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    Mute Bryan
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    Oct 26th 2020, 4:43 PM

    @Gary: Eat your words ya cl0wn!

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    Mute Jack Hackett
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    Feb 3rd 2020, 10:59 AM

    Well done Clare. Not easy to get a good result in Wexford, even more difficult with 14 men.
    As for Tony Kelly; Are there many other players in the country, Gaelic Football or Hurling included, who have won young player and player of the year in the same year, All-Ireland, league and Munster club honours? I dont think so. So, to all the Trolls, go back under the bridge and wallow in your swamp life.

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