Chinese athletes complain about poor security in Rio

Chinese internet users have accused the Rio Olympics of being unsafe and inferior to Beijing's 2008 offering. That came after athletes said they were robbed and faced broken facilities.

Chinese journalists jump in front of the rings at sunset in the Olympic Park REUTERS/Nacho Doce

Chinese authorities warned its citizens “not to visit favelas and remote locations by themselves”, “not to go out with backpacks, jewels, watches or any luxury goods” and “not to use your mobile phone while walking down the streets.”

Several Chinese athletes have already raised concerned regarding their security after incidents happened once they had landed in Brazil.

Chinese hurdler Shi Dongpeng told state media that his personal computer was stolen upon his arrival, posting security camera images of the alleged thief on his verified social media account.

"Losing money will help me avoid greater misfortune," he wrote philosophically.

Table tennis star Fan Zhendong showed pictures on the Weibo social media service of himself and teammate Zhang Jike fixing a broken shower curtain rail in the Olympic village, while London Olympic medal-winning gymnast Feng Zhe weighed in on a verified social media account, complaining about a clogged toilet in a training centre.

Chinese Olympic-goers have been victims of "frequent" theft in Brazil, China's foreign ministry said last week in a warning to its citizens abroad to take greater safety precautions.

The warning received widespread coverage in China, which hosted impressive Games at a massive cost eight years ago, generating much national pride. To many, these Games are simply not a good as the ones Beijing pulled in 2008.

"The environment of the Rio Olympics is too poor. Play me more clips of the 2008 Beijing Olympics," one Weibo user said, expressing a common sentiment.

Chen Ying, of state broadcaster CCTV, wrote on Weibo: "Started my Rio Adventure! I feel like I'm shooting a Wilderness Survival instead of reporting the Olympics."

Chinese screenwriter Zhou Yu quipped: "I feel that it's necessary to send a peacekeeping force so the Olympics can be successfully held."

China are sending their largest team to an overseas Olympics, but forecasters predict the 416 athletes will fail to match the country's greatest medal haul, achieved on home soil.