A group of athletes belonging to the Sri Lankan Commonwealth Games team have gone 'missing'. It has been reported that a total of 10 members of the team have not returned to the athletes' villages at the Birmingham event.
They reportedly include wrestlers, boxers and volleyball players, according to BirminghamLive. A wrestler, judo star and a judo coach went missing last Monday, before West Midlands Police located two of the three.
However, Sri Lankan team spokesperson Gobinath Sivarajah said the pair chose not to return to the squad. He has now said that a further seven team members have gone missing - leaving their bags behind.
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 draws 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 10 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 10 missing athletes also serve in the Sri Lankan armed forces. Mr Sivarajah said they included 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."
