More than 19 Commonwealth Games athletes and team staff who went missing during the Gold Coast event are now seeking asylum in Australia, refugee advocates say.
Sydney's Refugee Advice and Casework Service principal solicitor Sarah Dale told AAP the organisation had helped a number of people lodge applications for protection, before their federally approved games visas expired on Tuesday night.
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'Significant number' of missing Comm Games athletes applying to stay
Initially, it was believed 11 participants had not returned home, including five boxers and three wrestlers from Cameroon, two athletes from Uganda and a Rwandan Paralympic powerlifting coach.
But Ms Dale, who was unable to give precise numbers due to privacy issues, said it was more than 19.
"The numbers we have seen have been greater than that (19) and it's our expectation that there are significantly more people in the community that have sought asylum here in Australia," she told ABC radio on Wednesday.
"It's a significant number ... It's certainly more than what's being reported."
The competitors are seeking asylum for various reasons and are from several different African countries, Ms Dale confirmed.
The federal government has already said "some" of those who went missing have already seen granted bridging visas to allow them to stay.
The applicants will need to demonstrate they fear persecution, whether it be on religious, race, nationality, social group or political affiliation grounds.
