50 athletes in Australia illegally

Dozens of competitors have remained in Australia illegally after going missing during this year’s Commonwealth Games, it has been revealed.

Malisa Golightly, from Australia’s department of home affairs, told a Senate committee yesterday that around 50 competitors had absconded during the Golden Coast Games.

Nearly 200 others hold bridging visas and are applying for refugee status, she said.

Australia has warned it will deport those who stay in the country illegally, after dozens of competitors disappeared from the competition, which ended on 15 April.