Aberdeen born Paralympic champion Neil Fachie 'mugged' while competing in Brazil

North East Paralympian and 19 time World Champion Neil Fachie says he has been mugged in Rio de Janeiro.

The Aberdeen born para-cyclist is currently abroad competing in the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships.

Fachie took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to reveal his ordeal.

He said: “We were mugged tonight in Rio, so sadly I’m not contactable by phone for a little while.

"We’re all okay, other than being shaken up.

"Passports, cards, some cash and our silver medals were all stolen.

"A sad way to end the day."

Lora Fachie, Neil's wife and fellow Paralympic and World Champion, is also taking part in the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships.

This competition marks the first time that the couple have competed alongside each other.

Support poured in for Fachie in response to the athlete’s social media post about the alleged attack.

Fellow Paralympian David Clarke said: “So sorry this happened to you Neil and sending you all our very best wishes.”

Another person commented: “Shocked and sorry to read this, glad you’re all ok.”

The competition in Brazil runs from Wednesday to Sunday.

Along with his wife, Fachie was joined by pilots Matt Rotherham and Corrine Hall in yesterday’s tandem team sprint.

The team won second place, 0.375 seconds slower than winners Italy.

Fachie is a 2012 Paralympic champion and a world record holder for tandem kilo and flying 200m.

He has won 14 gold medals at previous UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships.

The 40-year-old athlete was born with a congenital eye condition but entered the athletic world at the age of 24.

He ran for Great Britain at the 2008 Beijing Olympics before switching to track cycling.

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