Out-of-control athletes and supporters forced a bar to close and police to shut down a party of 200 after the New Zealand Rowing Championships in Twizel at the weekend.
Both the bar and rental property were left damaged and local business owners are questioning the drinking culture surrounding the event.
Two top rowing coaches were also barred from the Lake Ruataniwha event after arguing with race officials when a team was accused of cheating and stripped of its gold medal.
Top Hut Bar & Bistro owner Darrin Burgess said he had to close his premises - which had hosted a DJ and cordoned off a special area for the rowers and their supporters - when celebrations got out of hand at 1am on Sunday.
"It was an extreme action but it had to be done because we had people climbing over fences to get in and we couldn't keep control of it. They were drunk and abusive and didn't want to comply - they were terrible. There were very, very drunk people in town on Saturday night."
