The Belgian Olympic Committee withdrew the team from mixed triathlon competitions after one of its triathletes, Claire Michel, fell ill after diving into the Seine. Having finished in 38th place in the women's triathlon last Wednesday, Michel reportedly contracted an intestinal infection.
The Belgian Olympic Committee has not specified the athlete's state of health, but according to Belgian media it is an Escherichia coli infection.
Michel would have been hospitalized for an illness in the clinical center of the Olympic Village, then treated and discharged. The Belgian Olympic Committee is tough: «We must ensure that there are no uncertainties for the athletes, the entourage and the fans», we read in a note.
The episode reignites controversy over the quality of the Seine's water and the controversial decision to hold triathlon races in the Parisian river. After the rains of recent days, the Seine was too polluted and several training sessions before individual and relay races were cancelled.
(Unioneonline/D)