June 19, 2010; Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA; A fan of Cameroon during Group E play against Denmark in the 2010 World Cup at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mario Kneisl/GEPA via US PRESSWIRE
LONDON - Cameroon Olympic officials have asked London organizers for help locating seven athletes who abruptly left the Olympic Village Monday night.
London Olympics spokeswoman Jackie Brock-Doyle said Wednesday that the organization had informed the city's Metropolitan Police Service of the incident involving five boxers, a swimmer and a soccer player.
"We will do what we can to help,'' Brock-Doyle said. "But we're in quite a difficult position at the moment. They (the athletes) are able to be in the country'' based on their accreditations which don't expire until November.
Police said no formal missing persons reports had been filed and that the athletes were not in violation of any British law.
Britain's Home Office also has been notified but officials declined to elaborate on the matter, except to say that the athletes were legally in the country.
"Clearly, we're watching the situation,'' said International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams. "The (Cameroon) team has obviously raised a concern."
Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY