Five boxers, a swimmer and a soccer player are suspected of having left to stay in Europe for economic reasons.

“What began as rumour has finally turned out to be true. Seven Cameroonian athletes who participated at the 2012 London Olympic Games have disappeared from the Olympic Village,” David Ojong, the mission head said in a message sent to the ministry.

Ojong said a reserve goalkeeper for the women’s soccer team, Drusille Ngako, was the first to disappear.

Her team-mates left for Coventry for their last preparatory encounter against New Zealand, whereas, she vanished.

A few days later, swimmer Paul Ekane Edingue and his personal belongings were also not found in his room.

Ojong said that five boxers eliminated from the games, Thomas Essomba, Christian Donfack Adjoufack, Abdon Mewoli, Blaise Yepmou Mendouo and Serge Ambomo, disappeared on Sunday from the Olympic village.

However, it is not the first time Cameroonian athletes have disappeared during international sports competitions.

At Commonwealth games as well as junior soccer competitions, several Cameroonians have quit their delegation without official permission.