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Aussie Olympians face drinking bans

The Australian Olympic Committee has confirmed new rules on alcohol, banning athletes from drinking at the Olympic Village, other team locations and on the team flight back to Australia.

The new rules, which were flagged last month by Rio de Janeiro Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller, were confirmed in a statement by the AOC on Tuesday.

They apply to both Summer and Winter Olympic teams and to Youth Olympic teams.

Under the new regime, Olympic team members are not allowed in the Olympic Village or other team locations if they are drunk and behaving in inappropriate ways.

The code names a range of inappropriate behaviour including being disorderly, aggressive, using offensive language, staggering, talking in a loud or boisterous manner, annoying team members or others, or any behaviour the Chef de Mission deems to be “inconsistent with the standards expected” of Australian Olympic team members.

They are also not allowed to possess, serve or drink alcohol within the Olympic Village, including a ban on drinking alcohol at functions for other Olympic teams.

Drinking has also been banned on the team charter flight returning to Australia after the Games.

AOC president John Coates said the new rules were designed to encourage athletes to “consider the needs of their
fellow Team members who are preparing for or are in competition and not behave in a manner which may disrupt or negatively impact on the performance of others”.

“These restrictions have been implemented to ensure that Australia’s Olympic athletes are given the opportunity to compete to the best of their ability and with distinction,” Coates said.

The new rules follow the release of the Bluestone Review earlier this year, which found a “toxic culture” in Australia’s swim team at the London Games, which saw athletes abuse prescription drugs, alcohol and curfews.

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