7 Cameroon Olympians Go Missing, Believed To Have Absconded

The Cameroon Olympic team has shrunk in size considerably since the start of the 2012 London Olympics after seven Olympians went missing.

The Ministry of Sports and Physical Education announced on Monday evening that five boxers, one swimmer and a backup goalie for the Cameroon soccer team have went missing.

Mission head David Ojong confirmed the rumor:

“What began as rumor has finally turned out to be true. Seven Cameroonian athletes who participated at the 2012 London Olympic Games have disappeared from the Olympic Village.”

The players likely absconded to stay elsewhere in Europe for economic reasons.

The missing soccer player has been identified as Drusille Ngako, a backup goal keeper who was ultimately not selected for the Olympic team in a field of 18 players. Also missing is swimmer Paul Ekane Edingue who disappeared with all of his personal belongings.

Cameroon’s five absconded boxers include  Thomas Essomba, Christian Donfack Adjoufack, Abdon Mewoli, Blaise Yepmou Mendouo and Serge Ambomo.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said nothing has been communicated to them regarding the disappearing athletes.

Cameroon is no stranger to disappearing athletes, because of tough economic conditions in the country other professional athletes have traveled to international sports competitions only to flee for a potentially better life.

In some cases younger athletes have even been known to disappear during junior soccer competitions without official government consent.

In the spirit of international competition Cameroon continues to send new athletes in place of their former citizens who have fled.

Are you surprised by the number of athletes who are suddenly absconding from Cameroon during London Olympic competition?