The 2020 Olympics in Tokyo finally kick off on July 23, and there have been many hectics situations. Some athletes are contracting COVID, and unfortunately, Japan isn’t letting any fans at events. There could be an exception with some local fans being allowed, though.
One of the headlines coming out of Tokyo over the past week has been 20-year-old weightlifter, Julius Ssekitoleko, being reported missing. Now, he has finally been located in Yokkaichi City, according to Hisako Ueno and Motoko Rich of the New York Times. Ssekitoleko initially left a note in his hotel room, as he revealed that he was trying to find employment in Japan.
Ssekitoleko ended up being found 100 miles from his team’s training camp, in Osaka. Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also revealed on social media that he is coming home. He didn’t qualify for the Olympics and didn’t end up submitting a required COVID test, according to CNN’s Rob Picheta and Junko Ogura.
Ssekitoleko’s hotel room was searched, and this note originally said how he wanted Ugandan officials to send his personal items back to his wife. This was all as he was looking for employment in Japan. Ugandan officials will also review the “alleged absconding from the duty” by Ssekitoleko.
Flip the page to check out the statement by the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.