First team PULL OUT of Olympics 2024 mixed triathlon relay as star hospitalised with E. coli infection after Seine swim
BELGIUM have pulled out of Monday’s mixed triathlon relay after one of their athletes was hospitalised with an E. coli infection.
Claire Michel, 35, has been sick for the past four days, an illness that has now ruled her out of the race.
And with Belgium unable to replace her in their four-person team, they have been forced to withdraw.
The Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee released a statement saying: “The BOIC and Belgian Triathlon hope that lessons will be learned for future triathlon competitions.
“We are thinking of training days that can be guaranteed, competition days and formats that are clear in advance and circumstances that do not lead to uncertainty among athletes, entourage and fans.”
Michel’s E. coli infection comes after pollution in the River Seine led to the men’s individual event being postponed.
It was pushed back by a day, before Team GB’s Alex Yee eventually claimed a stunning gold.
Beth Potter also won bronze for GB in the women’s event.
They are one of the favourites to contest for gold in the mixed relay alongside hosts France.
However, fears are growing that the event could be cancelled after athletes were not allowed a practice swim on Sunday due to poor water quality.
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Heavy rain in Paris has increased E. coli levels and other bacteria in the river.
Belgian triathlete Jolien Vermeylen, a team-mate of the hospitalised Michel, was less than impressed with the water when she swam in the river.
Speaking to VTM after the women’s race, she said: “I drank a lot of water, so we’ll know tomorrow if I’m sick or not.
“It doesn’t taste like Coca-Cola or Sprite, of course.
“While swimming under the bridge, I felt and saw things that we shouldn’t think about too much.
“The Seine has been dirty for a hundred years, so they can’t say that the safety of the athletes is a priority. That’s bulls***!”
City swimming has been banned in Paris for over a century due to water quality issues.
And despite a major €1billion regeneration project, the water was still not up to standards in the expected time frame.