Haukur Gudnason
::President Scouser::
Police Search for Missing Athletes
Wednesday, 22 March , 2006 08:24:00
Police are still searching for two athletes missing from the Commonwealth Games village.
A boxer from Tanzania was last seen on Monday morning and a runner from Bangladesh disappeared on Monday night.
Neither man has any friends or family in Australia and the athlete from Bangladesh doesn't speak any English at all.
Games officials say they share the police's concern about the pair, but they point out there have been many other examples of athletes trying to defect, flee or simply overstay during major events, including during the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and at the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002.
Louise Yaxley reports.
LOUISE YAXLEY: Police say Bangladeshi 400 metre runner, Mohammad Tawhidul Islam hasn't been seen since he left the Athletes' Village on Monday night saying he wanted to see the 100 metres final at the MCG.
He speaks no English and has no friends or family in Australia. Police say his disappearance is highly unusual.
Tanzanian boxer, Omari Idd Kimweri, speaks a little English and took his passport, money and a plane ticket with him. But he hasn't been recorded as leaving the country.
Both men were reported missing by their Games teams. The CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Mike Hooper, says he hopes they're not in danger.
MIKE HOOPER: We share the same concern that the two teams have already noted themselves. It's apparently unusual behaviour for these guys and we share the concerns expressed by the teams and indeed the Victorian Police and anybody who does know of their whereabouts etcetera should hopefully report it and they'll be found hopefully safe and well.
LOUISE YAXLEY: Games visas issued to athletes and officials are valid for a month after the event ends, so while the two men are missing, the cases are not immigration matters.
MIKE HOOPER: People have freedom of movement in this country and they've got visas, they've entered the country legitimately and teams are going about their business as you would expect.
LOUISE YAXLEY: Mr Hooper says it's not unusual for athletes, especially those from poor nations, to try to overstay after a Games.
MIKE HOOPER: Well I think past Games have shown…I think Sydney it was something over 100 people, their particular circumstances were such that they attempted to stay in the country. In Manchester there was, I think, Sierra Leone and another country of the top of my head and these things happen and people's personal circumstances differ from around the world and it's a matter for the appropriate authorities in the country.
LOUISE YAXLEY: Mr Hooper says he's aware of reports, but can't confirm, that the Bangladeshi team had athletes' families sign undertakings, which meant that relatives could be jailed if the competitors don't return.
Wednesday, 22 March , 2006 08:24:00
Police are still searching for two athletes missing from the Commonwealth Games village.
A boxer from Tanzania was last seen on Monday morning and a runner from Bangladesh disappeared on Monday night.
Neither man has any friends or family in Australia and the athlete from Bangladesh doesn't speak any English at all.
Games officials say they share the police's concern about the pair, but they point out there have been many other examples of athletes trying to defect, flee or simply overstay during major events, including during the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and at the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002.
Louise Yaxley reports.
LOUISE YAXLEY: Police say Bangladeshi 400 metre runner, Mohammad Tawhidul Islam hasn't been seen since he left the Athletes' Village on Monday night saying he wanted to see the 100 metres final at the MCG.
He speaks no English and has no friends or family in Australia. Police say his disappearance is highly unusual.
Tanzanian boxer, Omari Idd Kimweri, speaks a little English and took his passport, money and a plane ticket with him. But he hasn't been recorded as leaving the country.
Both men were reported missing by their Games teams. The CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Mike Hooper, says he hopes they're not in danger.
MIKE HOOPER: We share the same concern that the two teams have already noted themselves. It's apparently unusual behaviour for these guys and we share the concerns expressed by the teams and indeed the Victorian Police and anybody who does know of their whereabouts etcetera should hopefully report it and they'll be found hopefully safe and well.
LOUISE YAXLEY: Games visas issued to athletes and officials are valid for a month after the event ends, so while the two men are missing, the cases are not immigration matters.
MIKE HOOPER: People have freedom of movement in this country and they've got visas, they've entered the country legitimately and teams are going about their business as you would expect.
LOUISE YAXLEY: Mr Hooper says it's not unusual for athletes, especially those from poor nations, to try to overstay after a Games.
MIKE HOOPER: Well I think past Games have shown…I think Sydney it was something over 100 people, their particular circumstances were such that they attempted to stay in the country. In Manchester there was, I think, Sierra Leone and another country of the top of my head and these things happen and people's personal circumstances differ from around the world and it's a matter for the appropriate authorities in the country.
LOUISE YAXLEY: Mr Hooper says he's aware of reports, but can't confirm, that the Bangladeshi team had athletes' families sign undertakings, which meant that relatives could be jailed if the competitors don't return.
They were at the bank withdrawing cash.