Australian swimmers Josh Palmer and Emma McKeon have been disciplined by the AOC for breaches of team protocol after Palmer said he was robbed on a night out, and both failed to return to the Olympic Village.

Key points: Kitty Chiller said Palmer, McKeon left a nightclub in Copacabana in the early hours of Wednesday morning

Kitty Chiller said Palmer, McKeon left a nightclub in Copacabana in the early hours of Wednesday morning Palmer told officials he was forced to withdraw $1,000 in cash from an ATM

Palmer told officials he was forced to withdraw $1,000 in cash from an ATM The pair will not take part in the closing ceremony, Chiller said

McKeon won four medals in the pool in Rio — gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay, bronze in the 200m freestyle, silver in the 4x200m freestyle relay, and another silver in the 4x100m medley relay.

Palmer finished fifth in his heat of the 100 metre breaststroke on day one of the Games.

Australian chef de mission Kitty Chiller said the pair left a nightclub in Copacabana in the early hours of Wednesday morning (Rio time).

"McKeon chose to stay the night with swimming friends in the Copa district without informing team management," the statement said.

"Palmer headed to a beach kiosk with a friend and continued drinking. The others headed back to the village and did not breach any rule.

"Palmer has told officials that after his friend left he was approached by a man who forced him to withdraw $1,000 in cash from a nearby automatic teller machine.

Joshua Palmer finished fifth in his heat of the 100m breaststroke on day one of the Games. ( Reuters: David Gray )

"Palmer was found later by two businessmen in the Copa district who reported that the swimmer was disoriented and had lost his wallet and phone."

The businessmen phoned the Australian Consulate who contacted the head of security for the Australian Olympic Team, Greg Nance.

Palmer has chosen not to report the incident to police, Chiller said, despite being advised to do so.

"We're not able to investigate any further and obviously we can't force him to go to the police," she said.

Chiller said the pair must remain in the Village between 8:00pm and 8:00am local time and only travel to sporting events in official Rio 2016 transport during the day.

She said McKeon and Palmer will not take part in Monday's (AEST) closing ceremony, and the swimming team management have imposed a 2:00am curfew on all team members for the rest of the Games.

Closing ceremony ban a harsh punishment: McKeon's father

McKeon's father said it was not his daughter's intention to stay away from the Olympic village overnight.

Ron McKeon said she was following the protocol of not travelling alone, after she became separated from other Australian swimmers, and that banning her from the closing ceremony was a harsh penalty.

"We know; one, she is safe; two, she is disappointed," he said.

"For me safety is a priority, but I don't want this to be the defining thing about her Olympic experience and it shouldn't be."

Steve Gregson, father of Australian 1500m runner Ryan Gregson, told the ABC: "It's so unfortunate ... [Emma is] such a wonderful young girl and they come from such a wonderful family.

"I hope Kitty Chiller and the rest of the guys can see a way to change their decision. I don't know if that's possible or not."

Chiller also said they would "absolutely" look at the possibility of sending athletes home once they had finished competing in the next Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Following the statement release, McKeon tweeted she had "followed AOC safety protocol".

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