Thieves sour Games for African nation

The tiny east African nation of Djibouti has become the Sydney Olympic Games' first direct victim of theft, the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on Wednesday.

It said A$3,000 (US$1,740) was stolen during an Olympic fundraising evening held by African communities in Sydney on Tuesday.

The A$3,000 was the amount raised to help pay for the accomodation of the families of Djibouti athletes who arrive in Sydney this week.

A police spokesman had no comment on the report.

Djibouti, with a population of 500,000, is fielding one of the smallest Olympics teams.

It is sending four track and field competitors, and one each in sailing and judo.

The Daily Telegraph also said the theft "damaged Sydney's Welcome the World image."