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Seven Cameroon Competitors missing from Olympics

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The chief of Cameroon’s Olympic delegation has told journalists that seven of the country’s Olympic athletes have left their official residence at the Olympic village. There is speculation the athletes may be seeking asylum in Britain or on mainland Europe. Britain’s Press Association says five boxers, a swimmer and a soccer player could not be located at the athletes village that is part of the new Olympic complex in Stratford, east London. David Ojong, head of mission for Team Cameroon, said the seven all currently hold visas permitting them to remain legally in Britain until at least November. Ojong named the missing athletes as swimmer Paul Ekane Edingue, women’s goalkeeper Drusille Ngako and five boxers: Thomas Essomba, Christian Donfack Adjoufack, Abdon Mewoli, Blaise Yepmou Mendouo and Serge Abomo. He said the Cameroon delegation consisted originally of 59 people, but 28 already have returned home, 24 remain in London and seven are missing. Cameroon’s diplomats in Britain have not yet commented on the matter but further details are expected later today. Meanwhile yesterday, a representative of the Cameroon Football Federation said the first athlete to disappear on July 2 was “a woman football player who was at the Olympic village but was not one of the 18 players chosen to take part in the Olympic games.” The missing player from Cameroon’s national football team is Drusille Ngako, said the representative, who requested anonymity.

She was not chosen as a finalist to participate in the games and it is not known why she went with the national women’s football team to London, the source added. Since the beginning of the 2012 Games in London Cameroon has not won any medals. Two of its athletes remain in competition.

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