[imagesource: Jae C Hong/AP]

When you’ve trained for four (or in this case five) years to compete at the Olympics, you can be excused for letting off some steam after you’ve finished your duties.

However, members of the Australian men’s rowing and rugby team appear to have overstepped the mark, and have now been “severely reprimanded” for their bad behaviour at the Olympic Village.

The Australian reports that during the wild weekend, “rooms were trashed and cleaners called in to mop up vomit”:

The drunken hijinks raged throughout Friday and Saturday nights, upsetting athletes who were still competing, including several from within the Australian contingent and rivals such as Team GB.

The Australian Olympic Committee [AOC] confirmed “a few individuals did leave their rooms in a messy and unacceptable state”…

A source said the behaviour was out of line and disrespectful to athletes still competing and the mess they left was “disgusting’’.

Whilst acknowledging the poor behaviour, the AOC downplayed the extent of the damage, saying two apartments had “minor damage”.

Due to COVID-19 regulations, athletes are only allowed to drink in their room and are not permitted to socialise.

Australian chef de mission Ian Chesterman said that the overwhelming majority of Australian athletes had been “model citizens both on and off the field of play”:

“A few have let themselves down and, as we have high standards, the matters were reported to the national federations and they will deal with those athletes involved. It has all been appropriately dealt with and we have put the matter behind us here. I continue to be happy impressed by the behaviour and spirit of this team.”

The Guardian reports that beds had been damaged, and one of the apartments had been left with a hole in the wall.

There was also some drama around team mascots:

Two life-sized mascots – an emu and a kangaroo – have since been returned after a few days missing from their usual place in Team Australia’s accommodation…

“We were just about to get the ‘Wanted’ signs around the village and post a reward for their return,” Chesterman said.

“I’m pleased to report they are back in place and home. I think they went missing around the 28th, turned up again last night and understand they enjoyed a pleasant holiday in Deutschland.”