The Belgian team withdrew from the triathlon due to the illness of one of the athletes
7 august 2024 в 00:13
The Belgian Olympic Committee (COIB) announced on Sunday that their mixed relay triathlon team will not participate in the competition on Monday after one of their athletes, who swam in the Seine River last week, fell ill.
Claire Michel, who competed in the women’s triathlon on Wednesday, finishing 38th, «unfortunately fell ill and has to withdraw from the competition», - the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee said in a statement.
The team did not specify whether Michel became ill due to the long-term polluted river with constantly changing swimming safety status, which was the location for the 1500-meter swim in the triathlon. The Belgian newspaper De Standaard claimed that the 35-year-old athlete was infected with E. coli.
Organizers stated that water quality tests conducted on the day of the individual triathlons showed «very good» levels of bacteria. However, a few days before her race, the men’s individual competition was postponed, and training sessions were canceled after water quality testing showed that the Seine was unsafe for swimming.
A joint statement from World Triathlon and Paris 2024 read: «The latest test results confirm that water quality levels in the Seine at the triathlon venue have improved in the last few hours, with predictive analysis indicating that water quality will meet levels acceptable for World Triathlon».
On Saturday, the Swiss team announced that their athlete Adrien Briffod, who participated in the men’s race, fell ill with a stomach infection and will not compete in the mixed relay.
COIB added after the withdrawal that they hope «lessons have been learned for future triathlons».
«We are thinking about training days that can be guaranteed, competition days and formats that are clear in advance, and circumstances that do not cause uncertainty among athletes, staff, and fans».
Daily water quality tests measure levels of fecal bacteria, including E. coli, in the waters of the Seine. According to World Triathlon recommendations, E. coli levels up to 1000 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters can be considered «good» and allow competitions to take place.
The World Triathlon Medical Committee stated that it takes into account water quality analysis, sanitary inspection, and weather forecast when deciding whether to hold a race. Decisions are usually made at morning meetings on the day of the event. However, by announcing on Sunday evening that the race will take place on Monday, organizers said they were responding to athletes' requests for more time to prepare.
Bronze medalist Daniel Wiffen from Ireland, who won gold in the 800-meter race, said he will not train in the Seine beforehand: «I don’t want to risk getting sick».
He said he will instead train in pools throughout Paris, even if it means «taking a risk»
Claire Michel, who competed in the women’s triathlon on Wednesday, finishing 38th, «unfortunately fell ill and has to withdraw from the competition», - the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee said in a statement.
The team did not specify whether Michel became ill due to the long-term polluted river with constantly changing swimming safety status, which was the location for the 1500-meter swim in the triathlon. The Belgian newspaper De Standaard claimed that the 35-year-old athlete was infected with E. coli.
Organizers stated that water quality tests conducted on the day of the individual triathlons showed «very good» levels of bacteria. However, a few days before her race, the men’s individual competition was postponed, and training sessions were canceled after water quality testing showed that the Seine was unsafe for swimming.
A joint statement from World Triathlon and Paris 2024 read: «The latest test results confirm that water quality levels in the Seine at the triathlon venue have improved in the last few hours, with predictive analysis indicating that water quality will meet levels acceptable for World Triathlon».
On Saturday, the Swiss team announced that their athlete Adrien Briffod, who participated in the men’s race, fell ill with a stomach infection and will not compete in the mixed relay.
COIB added after the withdrawal that they hope «lessons have been learned for future triathlons».
«We are thinking about training days that can be guaranteed, competition days and formats that are clear in advance, and circumstances that do not cause uncertainty among athletes, staff, and fans».
Daily water quality tests measure levels of fecal bacteria, including E. coli, in the waters of the Seine. According to World Triathlon recommendations, E. coli levels up to 1000 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters can be considered «good» and allow competitions to take place.
The World Triathlon Medical Committee stated that it takes into account water quality analysis, sanitary inspection, and weather forecast when deciding whether to hold a race. Decisions are usually made at morning meetings on the day of the event. However, by announcing on Sunday evening that the race will take place on Monday, organizers said they were responding to athletes' requests for more time to prepare.
Bronze medalist Daniel Wiffen from Ireland, who won gold in the 800-meter race, said he will not train in the Seine beforehand: «I don’t want to risk getting sick».
He said he will instead train in pools throughout Paris, even if it means «taking a risk»
© Smirnova Olga
