Top European Olympic official Patrick Hickey has temporarily stepped down from his duties, after being arrested in Rio in connection with a police probe into illegal ticket sales.

The 71-year-old Irishman was detained at his beach-front hotel in the Brazilian city and taken to a nearby hospital.

Investigators say they have uncovered evidence linking him to an international scheme to pass Olympic tickets to touts – who were reselling them at well above their original price.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is awaiting the outcome of the probe.

“What I would say at this stage is obviously we look for transparency. We have a police investigation now, so let’s wait and see what happens there first, before we go any further I would say,” said Mark Adams, an IOC spokesman.

Last week, a director of international sports hospitality company THG Sports and a translator were detained – amid allegations they could have netted over two-and-a-half million euros from buying tickets and re-selling them at a higher price.

THG rejects the accusations.