Five boxers, a swimmer and football player are reported to be staying in Europe for economic reasons rather than returning home.

"What began as rumour has finally turned out to be true," said David Ojong, the Chef de Mission of the Cameroon team.

"Seven Cameroonian athletes who participated at the 2012 London Olympic Games have disappeared from the Olympic Village."

Drusille Ngako, a 25-year-old goalkeeper for the women's football team, went missing first after being dropped from the final 18 woman squad for the Games.

The 21-year-old swimmer Paul Ekane Edingue, is also among those missing, disappering after not qualifying for a medal in the men's 50m freestyle. 

Also missing are boxers Thomas Essomba (pictured top) of the light flyweight division, Christian Donfack Adjoufack of the men's light heavyweight, Abdon Mewoli of the men's lightweight, Blaise Yepmou Mendouo of the men's super heavyweight and Serge Ambomo of the men's light welterweight.

It was the boxers' first apperance at an Olympic Games but all have since disappeared from the Village.

Cameroonian boxer Serge Ambomo lost his fight to Turkey's Yakup Sener before he went missing

Cameroonians have previously left delegations at Commonwealth and Francophone events to seek refuge elsewhere.

A total of 60 athletes went to London with the Cameroon delegation, and it has been announced that 28 have returned home, while the other 24 remain in the Olympic village.

Cameroon have yet to win a medal at these Games, having claimed just one gold medal in athletics at Beijing 2008.

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