The controversy over the water quality of the Seine at the Paris Olympics has been rekindled after Belgium decided to withdraw from the mixed relay triathlon scheduled for today, August 5. The race is still at risk of being postponed after the organizing committee decided to cancel training, given that the rains had increased the bacteria levels in the river. The first victim of the bacteria has arrived: Claire Michel, a Belgian athlete who participated in the women's triathlon last Wednesday.
Hospitalization and withdrawal
According to French media, the Belgian athlete was hospitalized after complaining of abdominal problems. The organizing committee later clarified that the Belgian had been treated at the Olympic village, without being taken to hospital. It is suspected that she was infected with the bacteria Escherichia coli, which persists at high levels in the waters of the Seine especially after rains. The protest of the Belgian Olympic Committee (COIB) continues, which does not give details on the illness that struck Michel. In a statement, the Belgian Olympic Committee explains that all its athletes will not participate in the mixed relay races of the triathlon.
Belgian protest against the French
Belgians criticize French organizers: “The Coib and the Belgian Triathlon hope that lessons can be learned for future triathlon competitions. Let's think about training days that can be guaranteed, race days and clear form in advance and circumstances that do not cause uncertainty among athletes, entourage and fans.
Analysis before the mixed relay
After the last stages, the mixed triathlon relay race took place as usual today, August 5. The same goes for the swimming test in the Seine. The organizers explain that “the latest results of the analyses”, carried out this morning at 5:30 in the river before the start of the mixed race, “confirm that the quality of the Seine water on the triathlon site has improved in recent hours and that the analyses show that the data will be within the acceptable limits for the World Triathlon Federation.
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