African track team located after going missing in Eugene

EUGENE Ore. (KPTV) - Athletes and a coach from Eritrea’s visiting men’s track and field team at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene have been located, according to the Eritrean National Athletics Federation, which initially reported the individuals missing. The federation said the athletes are resuming activities with the team.

They were reported missing to police on Sunday. The last day of the World Athletics Championships.

They are:

• Ande Filmon, Age 24
• Habtom Samuel Keleta, Age 18
• Berhe Asgedom Nigusse, Age 44
• Merhawi Mebrahtu Teweldebererhan, Age 18
• Yemane Teklehaim Haileselassie, Age 24

Four of the men who were missing are members of the Eritrea National Team. The fifth is a coach.

The exact cause of their disappearance is unclear at this time.

The FBI field office in Portland told FOX 12 that they were aware of the disappearance, but the University of Oregon Police Department was the lead agency on the investigation.

In a statement to FOX 12, UOPD said the five men had been temporarily staying in university campus housing contracted for use during the Oregon22 World Athletics Championships when they were reported missing.

UOPD said there is no evidence of foul play or any indication other than that the men left the housing on their own.

Eritrea is a country in northeastern Africa on the coast of the Red Sea where there is currently a civil war and political unrest. In the past, athletes from tumultuous regions have used sporting events like the World Athletic Championships Oregon22 as an opportunity to flee their homeland. However, that isn’t confirmed to be the case in this instance.