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Olympic athlete has walked into a police station in Britain – and asked for
asylum. The male competitor reportedly turned up at Bridewell Police Station in
Leeds, Yorks, on Tuesday [July 24].
He
is believed to have entered Britain as a legitimate member of the Olympic squad
of an East African country.
The
sportsman is currently having his application processed in the normal way after
police passed the case to the UK Border Agency (UKBA).
Immigration
officials have warned that up to two per cent of athletes, team officials and
supporters may claim refuge in the UK during and after the Games – or try to
stay on once their visas expire.
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number of international Olympic teams have training camps in Yorkshire, the
largest being the Chinese team in Leeds.
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Home Office spokesman said it was expected that all athletes taking part in the
Games would leave when their accreditation expires and any applications for
asylum would be dealt with according to standard immigration procedures.
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spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said asylum applications were a matter for
the UKBA.
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