Sierra Leone: Copies of any press coverage in Canada, England or the African press about the Sierra Leone team in the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, BC, in particular coverage of the athletes' criticism of their country's lack of support and their subsequent refusal to return to Sierra Leone
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SLE20631.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Sierra Leone: Copies of any press coverage in Canada, England or the African press about the Sierra Leone team in the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, BC, in particular coverage of the athletes' criticism of their country's lack of support and their subsequent refusal to return to Sierra Leone, 1 May 1995, SLE20631.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abdd24.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to an article in the United Press International (UPI) of 23 August 1994, Horace Dove-Edwin, a Sierra Leonian athlete who was stripped of a silver medal in the 100 metre final due to steroid use, said,
"we haven't got any stadiums like this at home -- we've hardly got any facilities ... How can we march without uniforms?" His team- mate, Francis Keita, reportedly added the following, "It would have been embarrassing alongside all the other teams. Our government puts nothing into sports---it is very difficult" (ibid.). For additional information on the Sierra Leone athletes at the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, BC, please refer to the attached documents.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
United Press International (UPI). 23 August 1994. BC Cycle. Mitch Phillips. "Step Into the Limelight, Mr. Dove-Edwin." (NEXIS)
Attachments
The Atlanta Journal and Constitution. 30 October 1994. Joe Drape. "Olympia Watch 628 DAYS: COUNTDOWN TO 1996 Atlanta GAMES Tarnished Glory An Outcast in La Grange, Sprinter Horace Dove-Edwin Goes from Cinderella Hero to Pariah After Mysterious Drug Test." (NEXIS)
United Press International (UPI). 23 August 1994. BC Cycle. Mitch Phillips. "Step Into the Limelight, Mr. Dove-Edwin." (NEXIS)
The Vancouver Sun. 29 August 1994. Final Edition. "Archie McDonald. "Games' Best Story Turns Negative on Sprinter Positive Test." (NEXIS)
