Seven African athletes are confirmed missing from the Olympic Park

Officials confirmed on Tuesday that the Cameroon team are missing a female footballer, a swimmer...

13:16 09 August 2012

Officials confirmed on Tuesday that the Cameroon team are missing a female footballer, a swimmer and five boxers, who are all believed to have left the games area for economic reasons.

Included on the missing list are reserve goalkeeper Drusille Ngako, 25, and swimmer Paul Ekane Edingue, 21.

 

Members of the Cameroon boxing team, who have been already eliminated from London 2012, disappeared from the Olympic grounds in Stratford on Sunday.

 

Those named are Yhyacinthe Abdon Mewoli, Thomas Essomba, Serge Ambomo, Blaise Yepmou Mendouo and Christian Donfack Adjoufack.

 

David Ojong confirmed fears that seven athletes were missing in a letter to his government’s sport’s department.

 

"What began as rumour has finally turned out to be true," he said, "Seven Cameroonian athletes who participated at the 2012 London Olympic Games have disappeared from the Olympic Village."

It is understood the Home Office has recognised competitors of London 2012 are free to leave the Olympic village, and that none of those missing have applied for asylum.

 

The absconders are not breaking British immigration rules, which have been adapted for the games to enable athletes and their families to stay in the country until November.

It is not the first time Cameroonian athletes have disappeared during international sports competitions.