A third run-in with Brazilian military police has prompted New Zealand jiu-jitsu champion Jason Lee to flee Rio de Janeiro for Canada.
The athlete and his journalist girlfriend, Laura McQuillan, have arrived in Toronto just days after Mr Lee was bundled into a car by men believed to be military police officers and forced to withdraw cash from two ATMs.
A day after that incident, military police showed up unexpectedly at the couple's Rio apartment, prompting them to call the civil police and seek assistance from the New Zealand Embassy.
That was followed up by another visit from the military police - this time at midnight - and the couple decided to pack up and leave.
Mr Lee and Ms McQuillan had been in Rio for a year, and say they are devastated to leave their home and friends, especially just weeks before the Olympics.
"We have left Brazil. Jason and I are really grateful for all your messages," Ms McQuillan said on social media.
"But it's worth the knowledge that we are safe. It's only the Olympics, there will be another one in four years."
Mr Lee said the actions of his abductors weren't representative of Brazil and he "really did love my time in that country".
