What an honour it must be to lead your country out at the Olympics – just ask Wayde van Niekerk, who could be seen beaming from ear to ear as he carried our flag proudly around the Maracanã Stadium.

The position does bring with it certain responsibilities though; after all, you carry that flag knowing there are millions back home who you represent.

Someone should tell that to Namibia’s Jonas Junius, the boxer given the honour during the opening ceremony. This from the BBC:

[He] has been arrested by Brazilian police on suspicion of attempting to sexually assault a maid in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic village.

She alleged Jonas Junius, 22, had grabbed her and tried to kiss her. She also accused him of offering her money to have sex.

The journalist many say broke the story, Gabriel Elizondo, added that he was to be transferred to Rio’s Bangu prison on Monday evening.

Details around the story remain vague, with Elizondo sending this tweet out late Monday night:

This story was filed yesterday by the Namibian:

The Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) today released a statement saying they’ve contracted Brazilian lawyers to secure the release of boxer Jonas Junias…

“At that stage we realised that the legal system and definition of ‘attempted rape or rape’ and ‘sexual harassment’ are the same since 1992 in the Brazilian legal system, which makes the allegations a serious crime, requiring the Namibian team to change and gear up our approach.”

The NNOC said in the statement, the first from them, two days after the arrest, that the past 48 hours have been devoted solely to the case.

“Last night around 22h00, local time, following a series of consultations throughout the day, we resolved to change our legal team”…

“We are holding hands and are in prayers. We appeal to all Namibians to keep us in prayers and stand behind us.

“The Team is positive and we believe in the innocence of our boxer and flag bearer.

At this stage it’s all ‘alleged’, but something tells me many around the world will be frugal with their prayers for the athlete.

He’s actually the second boxer to be arrested these Games, Morocco’s Hassan Saada jailed for fifteen days as the investigation into his alleged assaulted of two housekeepers in the Olympic Village last week continues.

Junius is due to fight French boxer Hassan Anzille tomorrow, although it remains to be seen if he’ll be released in time to compete.

[sources:bbc&thenamibian]