Runaway Sierra Leone cyclist is found... but now their three relay squads go missing

A Sierra Leone cyclist who 'vanished' from the Commonwealth Games in an apparent bid to avoid going back to his Ebola-stricken country has been found - but several of his teammates do not want to return home. 

The plea from the athletes was made as Sierra Leone sportstars failed to turn up for four separate events, sparking fears that even more of the country's athletes could be going missing.

It comes as the World Health Organisation issued a warning about the epidemic of Ebola in West Africa - which they now say has killed more than 700 people in four countries.

Unisa Deen Kargbo, chef de mission of the country's team, says his athletes are scared about returning to Sierra Leone, amid fears they will be struck down by the killer disease. 

Mr Kargbo also said he would be 'investigating' why the athletes had not turned up at the various events - because he had expected them to be there. 

He told the Times: 'Many people are thinking whether or not to go home now. Everybody is worried and many of them don't want to go home now because of the Ebola.

'We have held several meetings with them, but they are still worried. This virus is spreading around our country and everyone is at risk of catching it.'

Yesterday, Mohamed Tholley, the country's mountain biking champion allegedly failed to turn up to Thursday's time trial. Officials admitted they were concerned he was trying to abscond, to avoid returning to Sierra Leone. 

Today, a spokesman for Glasgow 2014 said he was 'not missing' and the chef de mission knew his whereabouts. 

But yesterday, Sierra Leone’s men’s and women’s 4x400m relay teams also mysteriously withdrew from first round heats at Hampden Park. The men's 4x100 team also did not run.

Organisers were apparently given no explanation. Asked about the non-appearance, a Games spokesman said: ‘I don’t know.’

There have now been four events - including the time trial of Mr Tholley - which Sierra Leone’s athletes have entered but not started.

Mr Kargbo said: ‘I was at Hampden Park expecting to see the boys and girls in the relay. I don’t know where they are. I am going back to the village to find out what has happened.’

He was not available for comment when MailOnline tried to contact him about the missing athletes today.