Aug 2nd, 2016

Shi Dongpeng. (Getty)

Aug 2nd, 2016

A Chinese Olympic hurdler and his cameraman have been robbed in Rio ahead of the Games, after being caught off guard by a vomiting thief.

Hurdler Shi Dongpeng and his cameraman had just checked into their hotel in Rio last week when a man, who appeared to be drunk, rushed over and threw up on Dongpeng, The International Sport Press Association reports.

Dongpeng went to clean up in a bathroom and the cameraman tried to catch the seemingly drunk man.

However, the cameraman was unable to find the suspect and returned to hotel within minutes to find his full set of camera equipment missing.

After watching surveillance video with hotel staff, it quickly became obvious the vomiting man had been part of a carefully plotted crime.

When the cameraman ran after the suspect, another man quickly entered the hotel and grabbed the gear.

Dongpeng and the cameraman went to the police station to file a report, but no suspects have been arrested.

Security surrounding the Olympics has been heavily scrutinised, with other athletes reporting their belongings have been stolen as well.

A laptop, along with other personal possessions, were stolen from the Australian athletes during an evacuation of the Olympic village after a small fire.