Rio’s anti-bomb squad conducted a controlled explosion at the Olympic basketball venue ahead of Thursday’s game between Nigeria and Spain in the men’s competition.
This follows two previous controlled explosions at the Games, the first last Friday outside the beach volleyball venue and the second on Saturday at the finish line of the women’s road cycling race.
A statement from Rio 2016’s organisers said an abandoned backpack was found at the Olympic Park’s Carioca Arena 1 shortly before the crowd was due to be allowed into the venue.
They were kept outside while experts assessed the situation and then detonated the backpack. Journalists, officials and players were in the building but were not considered to be in danger.
The statement added that when the bag’s remains were inspected, it was found to contain a tablet computer, a pair of socks and a jacket.
Ticket-holders were admitted immediately afterwards and the game started on time, with Spain beating Nigeria 96-87.
Nigerian coach, William Voigt, who spoke about it said although he was worried he had to manage the information in order to avoid distracting his players. Nigeria lost the match 96-87.
Voigt said, “I had been notified. In fact, Ike (Diogu) was wondering what we were talking about. I decided not to say anything to anyone else. I didn’t really want it to be a distraction. I knew, certainly, when whatever it was went off.”
The American who coached Nigeria during its first African cup success in Tunisia last year, however, said that even though the bomb threat was a huge concern, he wouldn’t attribute the incident to why his players started the game slowly and eventually lost.
“It’s something everybody noticed but the players didn’t. So I don’t think we can use that as a reason for why we weren’t ready to start,” he said.
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