Ex-IOC member Hickey released on bail for medical reasons

A Brazilian judge has released former IOC member Patrick Hickey on bail. (Dmitry Lovetsky/AP)

RIO DE JANEIRO – A Brazilian judge has released former IOC member Patrick Hickey on bail of 1.5 million reals ($500,000) so he can seek medical treatment outside Brazil.

The judicial order was published on Wednesday.

Hickey, who is reported to have a heart condition, was arrested three months ago during the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on ticket scalping charges. He is awaiting trial, though not imprisoned, and has not been allowed to leave Brazil.

He has denied any wrongdoing.

Hickey has temporarily stepped down from all of his Olympic positions.

He was president of the European Olympic Committees, head of Ireland’s Olympic Committee, and a member of the International Olympic Committee executive board.

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