Police are investigating allegations by a 19-year-old handball athlete that she was raped by a group of male athletes at the Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) 2013 games village in Universiti Putra Malaysia, last Wednesday.

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said the police were viewing the case seriously as it involved the country's sports image and crime among athletes.

"This is a very serious report. We will carry out a thorough investigation," he told Bernama in Kuala Lumpur today.

A local daily today reported that the teenager claimed she was repeatedly raped while in a half conscious state in a hostel room at the university.

The victim lodged a report at the Serdang police headquarters, following which police detained three athletes yesterday to facilitate investigations.

- Bernama