Strict rules Olympians must follow as athlete is sent home trying to break one with boyfriend

Athletes living in the Olympic Village are required to adhere to a strict set of rules, after Brazilian swimmer Ana Carolina Vieira has already been sent home for a breach.

It's clear to everyone that being an athlete at the Olympics isn't exactly a 9-5 kind of gig.

The Olympians are required to be on top-form 24/7 while they are still competing in the games, and that includes their behaviour inside the village.

The rules are laid out to each athlete, but it seems as though one has already chosen to ignore them, after being sent home for breaching the strict guidelines.

Vieira has been sent home from the games, after she had left the village complex without permission with her boyfriend and teammate Gabriel Santos.

Santos was issued a warning but Vieira was sent home. (Instagram/@_anavieeiraa)

The two swimmers had left the village, where most athletes for the Paris Games are staying, without their team's knowledge and their violation was discovered following their posts on social media.

If you were going to break the rules at the Olympics, you probably wouldn't choose to put it all over social media...

The Technical Commission of the sport, the Team Leader and Brazilian Confederation of Aquatic Sports (CBDA) all had to agree on a suitable punishment for their actions.

According to the CBDA, athlete Ana Carolina was disrespectful and aggressive when she opposed the decision, which meant that instead of being warned, like Santos was, she was dismissed entirely.

Vieira for her part has said she will speak to her lawyers and has asked for 'patience' as she works to clear her name.

But this isn't the only rule athletes are required to stick to...

Brazilian swimmer, Ana Carolina Vieira, has been sent home from the Olympics after breaking a major rule. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Alcohol and parties are banned

It might be an obvious one, given the reason they're all staying at the village, but the Olympians are banned from drinking alcohol or having parties during their stay.

Despite there being a sports bar in the village, alcohol will not be served there.

Director of the Olympic and Paralympic Villages Laurent Michaud told Sky News: "We wanted to create some places where the athletes will feel very enthusiastic and comfortable, so they can have some conversations, discussions and to share their core values about sports."

Only athletes are allowed to stay there

If you thought that teams and coaches all have places to stay in the village, that's where you would be wrong.

And it's probably how the athletes manage to get away with getting up to funny business, as there aren't really many people other than themselves there to keep them in check.

In special circumstances, coaches and team officials can be brought in, but this is pretty rare.

Ban on political, religious, and racial propaganda

This rule has been in place since the Tokyo 2020 games, and the rule applies to the village, as well as the field of play, medal ceremonies, and other official ceremonies.