Belgium withdraws from the mixed relay: one of the athletes infected with E. coli

El Belgian Olympic Committee It was announced this Sunday that Not competing in the mixed triathlon relay Which will be competed on Monday, August 5 (at 8: 00 AM) for the discharge of Claire Michel, ill after swimming in the Seine The last merkul.

“Unfortunately, Claire Michel, a member of the Belgian relay, is ill and we have to withdraw from the competition. The decision, such communication, was made in consultation with the athletes and their environment,” the Belgian commission informed in a letter that did not provide further details about his state of Health. However, Belgian media reported that After four days of illness, the triathlete was hospitalized on Sunday with an infection Escherichia coli.

In this way, Martin van rijl , Gilles gens and Julien Vermaelen They will not be able to start if they do not complete a team of four athletes (two men and two women)

‘Mission’ to the organizing committee

The loss of Michelle, who placed 38th in the women’s singles event, comes amid Doubts about the water quality of the Seine. The organizers emphasized that The levels of fecal bacteria in reverse osmosis were at a level considered “safe” for athletes Last Wednesday and this morning new tests will be carried out before the green light is given for the relay competition.

“Belgian Triathlon Union They hope that lessons will be learned for the upcoming triathlon competitions. We talked about the guarantee of training days, competition days and the format of competitions, which should be clarified in advance Avoid uncertainty for athletes, their environment and fans“, The statement expresses in a clear statement to the organizing committee of pars 2024, as well as to the World Triathlon.

The mixed triathlon will compete again on the swimming segment of the Seine on Monday, despite all Controversy caused by the health of her waters that forced the postponement of the men’s individual event for 24 hours.