Two Paralympians who recently competed at the 2024 Paris Games have allegedly disappeared following the competition.
According to the French newspaper, Le Parisien, Mireille Nganga and Emmanuel Grace Mouambako, who both represented the Republic of Congo, went missing on September 5, along with a third person.
Nganga, who has a leg impairment, competed in seated shotput and javelin events while Mouambako was a visually impaired sprinter.
The missing athletes were their country’s flag bearers at the opening ceremony.
Emmanuel Grace Mouambako and Mireille Nganga during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games.Credit: Elsa / Getty
On September 7, French officials launched an investigation into the disappearance of Nganga, Mouambako, and the sprinter’s sighted guide Sharon Victor Loussanga, as reported by the French outlet Le Monde.
An anonymous official with knowledge of the case claimed to the Associated Press that the athletes’ suitcases were gone but their passports remained with the Congolese delegation.
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Officials have not ruled out the possibility of a voluntary disappearance or defection, but are also investigating “potential disturbing elements of the case,” per The New York Post.
The Paralympic Committee from Congo did not comment on the case when contacted by AP.
Emmanuel Grace Mouambako and Mireille Nganga’s passports remained with the Congolese delegation. Credit: BSR Agency / Getty
On September 4, the two athletes and guide returned to the stadium for their respective competitions.
Nganga recorded no mark during the Paralympics while Mouambako placed fourth in his first round fourth heat Men’s 100m T11, failing to qualify for the next round.
The three were at the closing ceremonies in Stade de France on September 8.
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Claudine Bazubagira of Rwanda also went missing. Credit: Raphael Dias / Getty
This is not the first time this type of disappearance has occurred.
Rwanda Paralympics volleyball player Claudine Bazubagira vanished after going out to dinner in the western Paris suburb of Courbevoie and not returning.
The athlete did not appear at the opening ceremony, despite arriving in the French capital on time, and ended up missing the entire competition, as reported by Daily Mail.
Per the outlet, authorities issued a statement, saying the “worrying disappearance” was being investigated and that it had been referred to the BRDP [the Brigade for the Suppression of Crimes against Persons].
Cuban judoka Dayle Ojeda, who traveled to Paris to help prepare athletes for the Olympics, also disappeared before the opening ceremony.
The 31-year-old reappeared a few weeks later in Spain, where she took refuge. “I feel good, now more at ease and confident, looking forward to starting a new life,” she told CiberCuba.com, adding that she wants to compete for Spain at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
