insidethegames reported exclusively that the site in Kensington Gardens – a €3 million (£2.4 million/$3.7 million) joint initiative by 33 members of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) – had been forced to shut down yesterday, with thousands of disappointed visitors turned away.

It is unclear whether it will be reopened before the Olympics finish on Sunday (August 12) but is nevertheless a huge blow to the efforts of Africa to put itself in the shop window to Londoners and others visiting the Games.

IOC spokesman Mark Adams said he had only just been made aware of the fact that Africa Village had apparently run out of money.

"All I will say at this stage is that we are finding out about it and processing reports so it would be premature to say who will pay and whether they should," he said.

"If it's true, it's very sad."

It was hoped that the Village, which had been personally backed by General Lassana Palenfo, the President of ANOCA, would also help a potential bid from an African country to host the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.

The Royal Parks, which runs Kensington Gardens, said: "We understand that there are a number of contractual issues between the event organisers at Africa Village and their suppliers.

"At present the event is closed and we are not certain at this stage whether it will reopen."

A message posted on Africa Village's website today read: "Africa Village temporarily closed until further notice."

London Mayor Boris Johnson refused to comment about the situation when he was asked today by insidethegames about the situation that leaves several London businesses potentially thousands of pounds out of pocket.

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