A group of Ethiopian athletes in Eugene for the World Junior Track & Field Championships have been missing since Saturday.
The University of Oregon Police Department is leading the search for the three women and a 17-year old boy. They're part of a 30 member team from Ethiopia. U of O spokeswoman Julie Brown:
Brown:"We have heard 2nd and 3rd hand, so indirectly from others, that the four athletes are safe and that they are with family and friends in other parts of the state. So at this point we don't have any reason to believe that they are in harm's way."
Brown says that despite speculation, it also has not been confirmed if the athletes are seeking asylum.
The U of O Police Department is getting assistance from Eugene and Portland police and the FBI in its missing persons investigation.
The World Junior championships drew athletes from more than 160 countries. The event wrapped up Sunday at Hayward Field in Eugene.
