An African Olympic athlete is reportedly seeking asylum in the UK, the Daily Mail reported.

The athlete, a male competitor whose nationality is unknown, waked into the Bridwell Police station in Leeds on Tuesday and there asked to be granted asylum.

The report said the athlete is believed to have entered Britain as a legitimate competitor from an East African country has walked into a police station and asked for asylum in the UK.

A spokeswoman at the West Yorkshire police said the athlete was detained, but not arrested. “He was handed over to the UK Border Agency who are now dealing with it,” the spokeswoman said.

The Daily Mail said they learned of the case after an East African team official said he believed a second man, this time an Olympic official, was looking to seek asylum as well.

Home Office sources told the Mail that the athlete is now in a secure location outside London while his case is being investigated. Immigration officials are trying to determine if the East African athlete already has family in the country.

While asylum cases were expected during the 2012 Olympics in London, what surprised about this case is the fact the athlete sought asylum before the competition.

It is unlikely he will compete now that he has turned his back on his country, the Mail reported.