There is a dark cloud of uncertainty around African athletes at international competitions outside the continent after several incidents of players running away from camps to start a living in the United States, Europe and other parts of the world.
This was again repeated at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia where eight Cameroonian athletes bolted even before the end of the competition.
They are weightlifters Olivier Matam Matam, Arcangeline Fouodji Sonkbou and Petit Minkoumba, and boxers Christian Ndzie Tsoye, Simplice Fotsala, Arsene Fokou, Ulrich Yombo and Christelle Ndiang.
Some of them were yet to compete in their disciplines. They were last seen at different times on Monday and Tuesday at their accommodation and have since been reported to the Australian police as “deserters”.
Below are other similar incidents in the past when athletes went missing.
