Irish Olympic chief arrested in Rio over ticket controversy

The President of the Olympic Council for Ireland (O.C.I.), Pat Hickey, has been arrested in Rio by police investigating an alleged ticket controversy at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Aug 2016, 12:56 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 18:08 BST
Pat Hickey, President of the Olympic Council of Ireland. (Photo: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy)Pat Hickey, President of the Olympic Council of Ireland. (Photo: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy)
Pat Hickey, President of the Olympic Council of Ireland. (Photo: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy)

Mr. Hickey, 71, is suspected of passing on hundreds of tickets for the Games to a third party who in turn sold the tickets for extortionate prices.

Mr. Hickey was arrested in the Barra da Tijuca neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro and it comes only days after a man was found to be in the possession of 800 illegal tickets to the games.

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Reports suggest Mr. Hickey was taken to a nearby hospital after he fell ill after he was arrested.

Police in Brazil say they have evidence to prove that Mr. Hickey was part of a scheme designed to pass on O.C.I. to a British company called T.H.G.

Related topics:BrazilPolice