Ten members of the Sri Lankan Commonwealth Games team have gone 'missing', it has been reported. The ten athletes, which include volleyball players, boxers, and wrestlers, have not returned to the Athletes' Village at the Birmingham event in the last few days.
According to BirminghamLive, the missing ten include eight men and two women. On Monday, August 1, concern was prompted after a wrestler, judo star, and judo coach went missing, although officers from West Midlands Police were able to find two of the three athletes.
Sri Lankan team spokesperson Gobinath Sivarajah said that the two recovered sports stars had decided not to return to the squad. And now, Mr Sivarajah has revealed that another seven athletes have disappeared, leaving their bags behind.
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The Sri Lankan contingent consists of 161 athletes, including 51 officials, who were granted 180-day visas by the government. They surrendered their passports, so cannot leave the country.
The Birmingham Commonwealth Games draw to a close this evening with a spectacular show planned at Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr. But Mr Sivarajah said most of the Sri Lankan team have now returned home - not including those who have gone AWOL.
He said: "We are missing ten people. It's a shame for Sri Lanka. We informed police. Two of them were located and the police said they came here legally and are staying legally.
"They left the athletes villages. Ten of them have left their baggage in the villages and taken their documents. The rest of the athletes have gone back to Sri Lanka, only 30 members of the team are left."
Five of the ten missing athletes also serve in the Sri Lankan armed forces. Mr Sivarajah said they include a male judo manager, a female judo athlete, two male wrestlers, three boxers, two male beach volleyball players and a female wrestler.
West Midlands Police said: "We are aware of eight reports of missing people relating to Birmingham 2022 and our enquiries continue to ensure they are safe and well. We are unable to offer any further information other than the above. "
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