An Olympic competitor has claimed political asylum in Britain, the Mail can reveal.

The man, believed to be a middle distance runner in his mid 20s from Africa, was being held by the UK Borders Agency last night after walking into a police station in Leeds and asking for asylum.

The claim comes at a hugely sensitive time for the government just two days before the showpiece Opening Ceremony.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz21i8xqgne

Very poor form at least he could have waited until after the opening ceremony