Investigation launched into disappearance of Rwandan Paralympian missing for more than a week
French prosecutors are investigating the disappearance of a Rwandan Paralympian reported missing more than a week after they disappeared.
The Prosecution Service of Nanterre, where the delegation is staying, confirmed the investigation on Thursday.
It said the athlete disappeared on August 20 but wasn't reported missing until Tuesday.
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Athletes from Rwanda march in the opening ceremony at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024. Getty
The Rwandan Olympic Committee didn't respond to a request for comment.
Wire service Agence France-Presse, citing a police source, said the sitting volleyball athlete left the team accommodation in Courbevoie, in north-west Paris, about 7pm to go to a restaurant but never returned.
The president of the ROC reported her missing about 1pm on Tuesday, the source reportedly said, adding that the para-athlete did not participate in the opening ceremony and the Rwandan ambassador had been informed.
In a statement, the prosecutors said the Prosecution Service of Nanterre's Court "assigned an investigation to the BRDP", a specialist police service.
It is not the first time an athlete has disappeared from a major sporting event such as the Paralympics.
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At least 20 athletes disappeared from the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018, with many of those later applying for refugee status.
In 2012, seven athletes disappeared from the Olympic village in London.
Several other athletes and officials overstayed or applied for asylum during the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006 and the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
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