UPDATE 1-Olympics-U.S. athlete arrested for assault at Vancouver

(Adds USOC statement)

VANCOUVER Feb 25 (Reuters) - A United States athlete competing in the Vancouver Winter Olympics has been arrested for domestic assault, Canadian police said on Thursday.

The man, who was not identified in the statement, was arrested on Wednesday for assaulting his common law partner in Whistler, where alpine, Nordic and sliding events are being held, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said.

The man was released on bail and police were recommending prosecutors charge him with assault and uttering threats, the RCMP said.

A later statement from Patrick Sandusky, USOC Chief Communications Officer, read on Thursday: "We understand that late last evening (Feb. 24) Bill Schuffenhauer, a member of the U.S. bobsled team, was detained and released by authorities in Whistler.

"At this point we are awaiting further details."

(Reporting Allan Dowd, Editing by Jon Bramley; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)