Europe Top Olympic Official Arrested Over illegal Ticket Sales

                            

Police in Brazil have arrested the head of the European Olympic Committees, Irishman Patrick Hickey, in Rio over illegal Olympic ticket sales.

Mr Hickey, 71, is suspected of illegally passing on tickets for the Games to be sold on at extortionate prices, Brazilian media report.

Mr Hickey was taken to hospital after his arrest.
Police say the suspect, who also heads the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI), tried to escape when they came for him.
They say he slid his Olympic pass under the door when police came knocking and fled into the adjacent hotel room, where his son had been staying until recently.

A spokesman for Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told the BBC: "We are aware of an Irish citizen having been arrested in Rio. The department, through its consulate in Rio, is following up and stands ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance."
Sports minister Shane Ross, who is in Rio and who recently met Mr Hickey, tweeted simply: "Shell shock here in Rio."
BBC.