3am beer run costs Aussie Olympians their freedom after gold-medal loss

A 3am beer run from the Olympic village cost several members of the Australian hockey team their freedom on Friday.

Officials confirmed that five members of the squad were reprimanded - and isolated in their rooms - after breaching Covid rules in Tokyo by leaving the athletes' village to buy alcohol.

The team was commiserating their gold-medal playoff loss to Belgium.

Team Australia boss Ian Chesterman, was quoted by Sky News, as saying three of the players left the village to buy two cases of beer at 3am on Friday, hours after the loss.

At 6am, according to reports, a second group walked to the shop but didn't buy anything.

The athletes, the broadcaster reported, all tested negative for Covid and turned themselves into officials.

Chesterman said: "They are feeling deep remorse. They have let their own teammates down."