The Sierra Leone sprinter claiming asylum in the UK because he says his family have died from Ebola , has been branded an 'embarrassment ' by one of the country 's top sporting officials . Jimmy Thoronka , 20 , was found living rough on the streets of south London having not returned home after the conclusion last summer 's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow . He claims all his family in his west African homeland have succumbed to Ebola , including his adoptive mother Jelikatu Kargbo . But the runner 's story , which has prompted an outpouring of public support , has been contradicted by Joseph Nyande , secretary general of Sierra Leone 's National Olympics Committee . In an interview with BBC Radio 4 's Today programme , Nyande said : 'He absconded . We had that embarrassment . Jimmy Thoronka , 20 , was found living rough on the streets of south London having not returned home since competing in the 4x100-metre relay at last summer 's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow . 'It happened in the 2012 Olympic games and when we went to Glasgow . I do n't think there 's anything wrong with his parents . ' Months after disappearing having competed in the 4x100-metre relay in Glasgow , Thoronka was found on the street having outstayed his visa , though he was not claiming benefits and was short of money and food . He is living in Home Office accommodation near Heathrow having been arrested on Friday and quizzed by officers over whether he was carrying or using drugs , which he denied . He was released and has now officially claimed asylum . But Abdul Karim Sesay , the vice-president of the National Olympics Committee in Sierra Leone and president of the country 's athletics association , told the Guardian he backed Thoronka 's story , saying Ms Kargbo did indeed die of Ebola in October . The sprinter has been branded an 'embarrassment ' for 'absconding ' and not returning home to west Africa . A pair of Sierra Leone Olympic officials have given two completely different accounts of Thoronka 's plight . He said : 'The story about Jimmy failing to return to Sierra Leone is a big one and it is very embarrassing for the National Olympics Committee and I believe that is why there has been this attack on Jimmy . ' I and other members of the National Olympics Committee will be calling a press conference to refute the claims made by Joseph Nyande . ' Thoronka said he was confused about what was happening . 'Two National Olympics Committee people are telling me two different things , ' he said . 'If it can be proved that my adopted mother Jelikatu Kargbo is still alive and can continue to support me that will be very good . An online petition to let Mr Thoronka remain in the UK has so far attracted nearly 70,000 signatures and well wishers have donated more than £28,000 to help the young athlete . ' I would be very happy to speak with her again but I have been told that she is dead and I have no family left . 'If I go home , I will have no one to help me . If they can find my adopted mother and bring her to me , I will be very happy but I think some people are trying to destroy me . 'If Joseph Nyanda is saying that my family are alive , where are they ? Please can he bring them to me . ' Thoronka has said he wants to claim asylum in the UK to fulfill his dream of becoming a top athlete but now faces deportation . An online petition appealing to the authorities to let him remain in the UK has so far attracted more nearly 70,000 signatures and well wishers have donated more than £28,000 to help the young athlete . Among the high profile names to support him in his plight are supermodel Lily Cole and comedian Russell Brand .
Joseph Nyande has attacked Jimmy Thoronka 's version of events . Nyande is secretary general of Sierra Leone National Olympics Committee . Says the 20-year-old 's parents may in fact be alive in the west African state . Score: 6