Security breaches make for troubled start

A stray bullet hit a media tent and bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion near the cycling race's finish line as the Rio Olympics got off to a nervy start on Saturday.

But it was far from plain sailing for Rio organisers as security scares and logistical problems took the gloss off the start of the two-week fiesta.

Long queues formed at Olympic venues as volunteers and security staff struggled to cope with a big influx of fans on the first day of full competition.

At Copacabana beach, Brazil’s military bomb squad detonated a suspicious package close to the cycling road race finish line, about two hours before Belgium’s Greg Van Avermaet crossed for victory.

“The security services found a suspicious package close to the cycle road race finish line in Copacabana and as a precaution decided to perform a controlled explosion,” Rio Games organisers said.

Worse happened at the equestrian venue at Deodoro, which is on a military base, when a stray bullet ripped through the media centre's canvas roof and landed on the floor.

Reports said the bullet narrowly missed a New Zealand team official who was badly shaken by the incident. The New Zealand team urged its members to be careful.

On Friday, police gunned down a mugger outside the opening ceremony venue, the Maracana stadium, and a woman was shot and killed by armed assailants near the Olympic Boulevard.

At Olympic Park, the Games’ hub, fans complained bitterly over transport and logistical problems which soured their experience on a sweltering day in Rio.

Rio Olympics spokesman Mario Andrada apologised for the long queues and admitted the tournament needed to raise its game.

“We apologise to everybody who is standing under the sun and in lines outside of venues,” he said. “We need to upgrade that part of the game.”