Missing Albanian Special Olympics athlete found safe in Hayward

EXPOSITION PARK, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A 44-year-old Special Olympics athlete from Albania who had been missing since Saturday was found safe in Northern California.

Andi Gusmari walked into a police station in Hayward, approximately 350 miles north of Los Angeles, around 1:30 a.m., according to Jeff Carr, Chief Operating Officer for the Special Olympics World Games Organizing Committee.

According to Carr, Gusmari was hungry and confused, but otherwise in good condition. He had his Albanian ID and birth certificate with him, which helped officers match Gusmari to the missing person report.

Special Olympics officials were notified about Gusmari's safe discovery at around 4 a.m. The athlete's family members were then notified.

It's not yet known how Gusmari ended up in Hayward. Carr said arrangements are being made to transport Gusmari to Los Angeles, and ultimately back to Albania to be reunited with his family.

Gusmari was attending a festival at the University of Southern California with his coach and the rest of the Albanian delegation when he disappeared at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday.