Sole winner: Indonesia's bronze medallist Gregoria Mariska celebrates on the podium in Paris. - AFP
PETALING JAYA: Indonesian badminton team lost big at the Paris Olympics – and it wasn't just on court.
The team fell victim to theft when the bag of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) team manager, Armand Darmadji, containing approximately 950 million rupiahs (about RM260,000) for team expenses, credit cards, and passports, was stolen by thieves.
The thieves also deflated the tyres of the rental car he was using at about 5.30pm local time.
The incident has been reported to the Indonesian Embassy in Paris as well as to the local police.
"A bag belonging to the manager of the badminton national team, Armand Darmadji, was stolen from a car in Paris on Monday at around 5.30 pm local time," a PBSI statement said.
The Indonesian team did not fare well at the Olympics, with only Gregoria Mariska getting a bronze in the women's singles by default, after Spain's Carolina Marin withdrew with an injury.
Despite the theft, the athletes will return on Aug 7, while Gregoria will return on Aug 9.
