RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (UPI):  A Cuban athlete has been reported missing from the Pan American games in Rio de Janeiro leading some to speculate he defected.

Rafael Dacosta, 19, apparently has been missing from the Pan American village in Rio for several days, Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper reported Monday.

Cuban officials at the games did not comment on the disappearance of the handball player, who missed a match against Cuba on Saturday.