Members of Sierra Leone’s Commonwealth Games team do not want to return home amid fears they could catch the killer Ebola virus, it has been reported.
Unisa Deen Kargbo, the team’s chef de mission, said athletes are worried about the situation in their home country, where a public health emergency over the virus has been declared.
His comments came after it was revealed that Sierra Leone cyclist Moses Sesay, 32, was admitted to a Glasgow hospital and tested for various conditions, including Ebola. A second unidentified team member was tested, but tested negative.
It also follows reports that the team’s mountain biking champion Mohamed Tholley, who was due to compete in the time trial event in Glasgow on Thursday, allegedly failed to turn up so he could avoid having to fly home.
Today officials said they knew the whereabouts of Mr Tholley and that he was not missing.
Now Mr Kargbo has reportedly said the Ebola crisis – which has been blamed for 729 deaths in an outbreak in four west African countries – is stopping other athletes from wanting to return home.
The Ebola virus is fatal in 90 per cent of cases and there is no vaccine and no known cure.
He told the Times: ‘Many people are thinking whether or not to go home now. Everybody is worried and many of them don’t want to go home now because of the Ebola.
‘We have held several meetings with them, but they are still worried. This virus is spreading around our country and everyone is at risk of catching it.
‘The problem is, if they want to stay on after the Commonwealth Games end, who will take care of them? They will have no accommodation, no work.
‘How do they meet their needs? How will they get themselves employed?’
