Guinea, meanwhile, will have a limited involvement and the participation of Nigeria still remains unknown despite them claiming on Wednesday (August 13) that they had withdrawn. 

Two athletes from Guinea will compete but  two others - under 63 kilogram female judoka, Mamadama Bangoura, and 50 metres freestyle male swimmer, Alhoussene Sylla - have been barred by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) due to fears that the contact and water-based nature of their sports could pose risks. 

Nigerian wrestler Bose Samuel has also been withdrawn for the same reason although their remains much mystery over the participation of the rest of the Nigerian team. 

The director general of the Nigerian National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye, announced that the team have formally withdrawn, but insidethegames understands this has not been totally confirmed, and that the squad could participate in tomorrow's Opening Ceremony. 

The IOC, along with Nanjing 2014, have also offered that each of the countries affected the opportunity to have their flag paraded at the Opening Ceremony and hoisted at all the venues, as they would have been otherwise. 

Athletes who have not been able to participate will also receive an invitation to come to Nanjing to take part in a sporting competition, it was promised, in order to "experience the welcoming atmosphere and spirit of the city and Jiangsu province".

Nanjing 2014 begins as the deathtoll from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa continues to rise ©AFP/Getty Images



IOC President Thomas Bach addressed the issue during a tour around the Village here this afternoon, including visiting the Guinea team. 

"Our thoughts are with the people in the countries affected by the Ebola disease," he said.

"I feel very sad and the athletes have all my sympathy.

"But we had to find the right balance between protecting the athletes and the people of Nanjing. and respecting the countries affected.

"This is why, together with the Organising Committee and with the guidance of the World Health Organisation, we have taken some measures which have prevented three athletes from taking part and leaving other decisions to the National Olympic Committees."

More than a thousand people have died in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria since the outbreak of Ebola. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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