Two brothers were arrested on Friday and appeared in court in Zimbabwe accused of carrying out an armed robbery at the home of the parents of new International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry. They are alleged to have stolen some of Ms Coventry's sports memorabilia.
Police say John and Mike Nhongwe are accused of stealing cash and property worth $90,000 (£69,768) and holding Miss Coventry's parents at gunpoint.
Among the items stolen were jewellery, firearms and various memorabilia linked to Olympic swimmer Coventry's career, including $15,000 (£11,628) in cash.
Police and prosecutors did not provide details of the memorabilia, but state media reported that it included some of Ms Coventry's Olympic uniform. They said the robbery took place on March 10.
Ms Coventry, 41, was elected as the new IOC president on Thursday in Greece, becoming the first woman and first African to hold arguably the most powerful post in world sport.
She is a two-time Olympic swimming champion and competed in five Summer Olympics before retiring in 2016.
She has served as Zimbabwe's sports minister since 2018 and is expected to return to her home country on Sunday, according to the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee.
Police say the Nhongwe brothers tied up Ms Coventry's parents with shoelaces at their home in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare. It is unclear whether Ms Coventry was in Zimbabwe at the time of the last IOC election campaign.
Details of the stolen Olympic gear and whether it has been returned are expected to be presented in court on Saturday, when the two defendants are due to appear again for formal arraignment and sentencing.
The judge ordered them to remain in custody until the next court hearing.
Ms Coventry is Africa's most decorated Olympian and will begin an eight-year term at the helm of the world Olympic body in June. She will succeed Thomas Bach of Germany, who has served as IOC president since 2013.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
