Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes said on Friday (19th August) he feels "pity" and "contempt" for the US swimmers involved in the 14th August incident at a gas station in Rio.

SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) Eduardo Paes, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro:

"I'll start by talking about the (US) swimmers. I think all of us, more than just thanking, we should also accept the apology by the Olympic Committee of the United States, it was a very correct gesture of them, the same way that our committee, when first it was believed that they were victims of urban violence, they apologised. So the Olympic Committee of the United States was very correct and the apology is definitely accepted. Regarding the swimmers, I admit that my only feeling towards them is of pity, contempt, it's a shame that their character failed, and now it's their problem and of the American committee decide what to do. They certainly do not represent the American athletes who came here (to the Olympics)."