2018 Commonwealth Games: Eight Cameroon athletes misssing in Australia

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Almost one fifth of Cameroon's team at this year's Commonwealth Games in Australia is missing. Team officials say eight athletes have left the Game's village - some before they were scheduled to compete. While it is still unclear exactly why, it's believed the missing athletes may be planning to seek asylum in Australia. Greg Navarro has more.

Not long after this year's Commonwealth Games kick off in Brisbane. And the athletes walked under the main stadium's spotlight. 8 members from Cameroon's team apparently disappeared from the event.

DAVID GREVEMBERG COMMONWEALTH GAMES CHIEF EXECUTIVE "Right now it is something that safety and welfare of those athletes are from a Team Cameroon perspective is being taken very seriously. We are obviously monitoring that situation with Team Cameroon."

Cameroon team officials say the 6 men and 2 women apparently left over 3 days earlier this week - and that some disappeared before taking part in their scheduled events.

DAVID GREVEMBERG COMMONWEALTH GAMES CHIEF EXECUTIVE "Look, it's obviously disappointing that some of the athletes that have come didn't compete as they were scheduled to compete. But I think it is also important to remember that these athletes are guests here in Australia. At this time, they are still within their visas, they have the right to travel freely."

It's believed the missing Cameroon team members may be planning to seek asylum in Australia - a country with one of the strictest border protection policies in the world.

ANDREW JAKUBOWICZ UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY PROFESSOR "You can't really claim asylum unless you are here which is one of the reasons why the government is so anxious to make sure people never arrive but the people who arrive lawfully can apply for asylum."

This isn't the first time athletes have gone missing at an international athletic event held in Australia. At the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, more than 40 athletes and team members from several nations including Sierra Leone, walked away from the event. Many of the missing Sierra Leone team members eventually turned themselves into Australian immigration officials.

GREG NAVARRO SYDNEY "Even before the Commonwealth Games began, Australia's home affairs minister warned game's visitors including athletes and team members that they must abide by the conditions their visas or face consequences under Australian law."

PETER BEATTIE GOLDOC CHAIRMAN "We would appreciate them sticking within the law, enjoying themselves but sticking within the law. And if they are thinking of doing anything other than that, I would encourage them not to do it."

The temporary visas for the missing Cameroon team members expire at the start of next month. Greg Navarro, CGTN, Sydney.