There has been mystery over whether the Nigeria team had officially withdrawn from the Games following a statement by Gbenga Elegbeleye, director general of the National Sports Commission, on Wednesday (August 13).

Bach confirmed in a press conference today that the team will be heading home.

Elegbeleye was unhappy with the treatment of the Nigerian athletes who were, he claimed, "quarantined, isolated and barred from training alongside athletes from other countries since they arrived the competition venue over news of Ebola virus in Nigeria."

He added: "Following this discrimination, we have resolved to pull out from the Games."

Nigeria's withdrawal from the Youth Olympic Games has been confirmed bu IOC President Thomas Bach following the countries fight with the ebola virus ©Getty Images



The news was finally confirmed by the IOC following talks between Bach and the Nigerian delegation. 

"We have been informed that the team from Nigeria want to go home," said Bach.

"This decision was made today.

"Yesterday in the conversation with the Nigerian team we were told that the Nigerian team will just follow the instructions given by the Government.

"They have to follow these decisions by the Government and obviously the Nigerian Government has decided in this way and again we feel very sad for the athletes.

"For them it must be extremely, extremely difficult.

"They are living in the Olympic Village right now, feeling the spirit of the YOG and then having to leave.

"This is very, very difficult and we feel for them.

"But we will not forget them.

"They will be invited to come back and we will show them that we stand at their side but we respect the decision of the Government in these circumstances."

Despite claims yesterday that Nigeria may be sending a delegation to tonight's Opening Ceremony even if they had withdrawn, insidethegames has learned that the team will not be attending.

Nigeria is one of three countries to have withdrawn from the Games following similar moves by Sierra Leone and Liberia, neither of whom arrived here.

Sierra Leone had left capital Freetown but returned home in transit following advice from the Chinese Government. 

Unisa Deen Kargbo could carry the Sierra Leone flag in this evening's Opening Ceremony despite the team withdrawing from the Games ©Facebook


In respect to the countries affected by the Ebola virus, Bach announced a delegate from one of the three nations will be carrying their country's flag during the Opening Ceremony.

Insidethegames is led to believe that this will Sierra Leone Chef de Mission Unisa Deen Kargbo, who arrived in China on Tuesday (August 12) having travelled here directly from Glasgow 2014, where he had led the team at the Commonwealth Games. 

National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone President Patrick Coker had claimed Kargbo was leaving the country on Thursday (August 14) after being held in isolation and put under temperature checks on his arrival the Games.

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