Police in Japan find lost Ugandan Olympic weightlifter

20-year-old weightlifter found after failing to turn up for COVID-19 testing last week, reportedly seeking job in Japan

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - Police in Japan on Tuesday found a Ugandan weightlifter who went missing last week while taking part in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, according to officials.

Julius Ssekitoleko, 20, failed to turn up to be tested for COVID-19 on Friday and also could not be found in his hotel room.

He reportedly left a note saying that he intended to find a job in Japan, said Tom Kato, a sports officer in Uganda's capital Kampala.

Kato told Anadolu Agency: "We have received information that the Ugandan weightlifter who disappeared from camp in Japan on Friday has today been found by police."

Ssekitoleko was reportedly found by police in Mie Prefecture, southwest of Tokyo, he added.

Before his disappearance, he was said to be in Izumisano, Osaka prefecture, for a pre-Olympic training camp there.

The multi-sport event in Japan will take place from July 23 to Aug. 8 after being postponed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Kaynak: