The AOC has reversed its decision to ban Australian swimmer Emma McKeon from attending the Rio Olympics closing ceremony, Australian chef de mission Kitty Chiller said.
McKeon and Josh Palmer, also a swimmer, had been disciplined by the AOC for breaches of team protocol after Palmer said he was robbed on a night out, and both failed to return to the Olympic Village.
But Chiller said she was persuaded to change her mind, allowing McKeon to attend Monday’s (AEST) closing ceremony, after the swimmer wrote a letter with a tone indicating she understood AOC protocols.
Chiller rejected any notion her decision was pressured by public opinion.
McKeon has won four medals in the pool in Rio — gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay, bronze in the 200m freestyle, silver in the 4x200m freestyle relay, and another silver in the 4x100m medley relay.
Palmer finished fifth in his heat of the 100 metre breaststroke on day one of the Games.
Curfew imposed on team members after incident
Earlier, Chiller said the pair left a nightclub in Copacabana in the early hours of Wednesday morning (Rio time).
“McKeon chose to stay the night with swimming friends in the Copa district without informing team management,” her statement said.
“Palmer headed to a beach kiosk with a friend and continued drinking. The others headed back to the village and did not breach any rule.