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Belgium team withdraws from mixed triathlon relay at Paris Olympics after athlete falls ill post swimming in 'polluted' Seine River
The Belgium Olympic Committee has announced the team's withdrawal from the mixed triathlon relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics after Claire Michel, a member of the relay team, came down with an illness. She competed in the women's individual triathlon on Wednesday, July 31, settling in 38th position after recording a time of 2:02:22 (two hours, two minutes and twenty-two seconds).
Michel was expected to compete alongside her team members today (Monday, August 5) but was reported sick.
Observers have speculated that she was hospitalized after suffering from an E. coli infection. A fan said on X:
"Triathlete Claire Michel has just been hospitalized due to E. coli infection days after her first swim in the Seine."
However, in their statement, the Olympic Committee has only announced the withdrawal of the team while keeping the nature of Michel's illness unstated. It reads:
"The BOIC and Belgian Triathlon must unfortunately announce that the 'Belgian Hammers' will not be taking part in the mixed relay at the Paris Olympic Games tomorrow. The decision, like this communication, was taken in consultation with the athletes and their entourage. Claire Michel, a member of the relay, is unfortunately ill and must withdraw from the competition."
Notably, Paris officials spent more than $1 billion to clean the Seine ahead of the 2024 Olympics. However, they are still facing an uproar regarding the river's water quality and safety for the triathlon and other events.
Belgium Olympic Committee seeks improvements for future triathlon competitions at the Olympics
Apart from Claire Michel, Adrien Briffod from the Swiss squad was also replaced after he suffered a gastrointestinal infection. However, the cause of the infection is unknown as of yet.
While announcing Michel's withdrawal, the BOIC also directed their statement toward the organizers.
"The BOIC and Belgian Triathlon hope that lessons will be learned for the next triathlon competitions at the Olympic Games. We are thinking here of the guarantee of training days, competition days and the competition format which must be clarified in advance and ensure that there is no uncertainty for the athletes, the entourage and the supporters," it said.
Notably, the men's triathlon race at the Paris Olympics, which was scheduled for July 30, was postponed a few hours before the start time after officials declared the level of pollution in the water to be significantly high.
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