The London Olympics came to an end with the Closing Ceremony on Sunday night, but not all members of the Olympic teams are accounted for. According to the Guardian, four members of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Olympic delegation have been missing in London since the weekend.
Among the missing are Cedric Mandembo, a judoka who lost his match in the 100kg category in 49 seconds, and his coach Ibula Masengo, Congo boxing trainer Blaise Bekwa and national technical director of athletics Guy Nkita. The Congolese Olympic Committee says Mandembo disappeared on Sunday evening and has not been answering his cell phone. All four members of the team reportedly left their luggage in the Olympic Village.
Seven Cameroonian athletes including five boxers, a swimmer and a soccer player also went missing during the Olympics. It is believed they are attempting to stay in London for economic reasons, but no details about the four members of the Congolese delegation have been released at this time. While police have been notified about the missing Cameroonians, they technically have until November — when their visas expire — to vacate the country.
As the missing athletes and this unauthorized batch of condoms have reminded us over the past week or so, no Olympic Games are ever totally lacking controversy.
