Police in Brazil have arrested the head of the European Olympic Committees, Irishman Patrick Hickey, in Rio over illegal Olympic ticket sales.Mr Hickey, 71, is suspected of illegally passing on tickets for the Games to be sold on at extortionate prices, Brazilian media report.Mr Hickey was taken ill and is currently being treated in hospital.Police say the suspect, who also heads the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI), tried to escape when they came for him. They say he slid his Olympic pass under the door when police came knocking and fled into the adjacent hotel room, where his son had been staying until recently. A spokesman for Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told the BBC: “We are aware of an Irish citizen having been arrested in Rio. The department, through its consulate in Rio, is following up and stands ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance.” Brazilian media believe Mr Hickey’s arrest is related to that of fellow Irishman Kevin James Mallon on the day of the Olympic opening ceremony. The OCI said in a statement it was “aware of the media stories regarding Pat Hickey and we are seeking total clarity on the situation before we comment further”.
