Illnesses Plague Athletes After Swimming in the Seine River
- ByAntoine Dupont --
- 2024-08-05 08:14:53 --
- 0 Comments --
- FRA
Swiss Triathlete and Belgian Competitor Sidelined Due to Gastrointestinal Infections
The 2024 Paris Olympics have faced a growing health concern as several athletes have fallen ill after competing in events held in the Seine River. Swiss triathlete Adrien Briffod and Belgian competitor Claire Michel have both been forced to withdraw from events due to gastrointestinal infections.
Briffod, who participated in the individual men's triathlon, was replaced in the mixed relay competition "due to a gastrointestinal infection," according to a statement from the Swiss Olympic team. The Swiss medical director, Hanspeter Betschart, stated that it is impossible to determine if Briffod's infection is linked to the water quality of the Seine, which has been the subject of much debate in recent days.
"A survey with my colleagues in other countries so far has not revealed an accumulation of gastrointestinal diseases among athletes who started the individual race last Wednesday," Betschart said in the statement.
However, the issues have persisted, as Briffod's replacement, Simon Westermann, also had to withdraw due to the same gastrointestinal problem. The Swiss team announced that Westermann will be replaced by Sylvain Fridelance, "again due to a gastrointestinal infection."
"Two withdrawals in just a few days is very unusual and regrettable for the athletes who were so eager to participate in this Olympic event. But in high-level sports, you have to accept the situation quickly, react and find the best possible solution. We are convinced that our team will also put in a good performance with this composition."
Tamara Mathis, the head of the Swiss triathlon team, expressed her disappointment in the situation, stating that the team must quickly adapt and find the best solution possible.
The Belgian team has also been affected, with Claire Michel being hospitalized for four days due to an Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection. As a result, the Belgian Olympic Committee (COIB) announced that the country's entire team will not participate in the scheduled mixed triathlon event on Monday.
"The COIB and Belgian Triathlon hope that lessons will be learned for future triathlon competitions at the Olympic Games," the statement said.
The E. coli bacteria, which is naturally found in the intestines of humans and animals, can cause serious illnesses if transmitted through contaminated water or food. According to the Mayo Clinic, "the E. coli bacteria can cause an infection even if you ingest only a small amount, which is why you can get sick with E. coli by eating a slightly undercooked hamburger or swallowing a mouthful of contaminated pool water."
The organizers of the Paris Olympics had invested over 1.4 billion euros (R$ 8.7 billion) to create infrastructure to reduce pollution in the Seine and its tributary, the Marne, in order to allow swimming in the river for the first time in a century. However, heavy rains have affected the water quality, leading to the postponement of the men's triathlon event.
Belgian swimmer Jolien Vermelylen, who participated in an event in the river, expressed her concerns about the experience, stating, "Swimming under the bridge, I felt and saw things that it's better not to think about too much."
The issues surrounding the water quality in the Seine River have cast a shadow on the organizers' efforts to make the Paris Olympics a historic event, with the triathlon and marathon swimming competitions being two highly anticipated moments. As the games progress, officials will need to address these health concerns to ensure the safety and well-being of the athletes.
The situation has highlighted the importance of maintaining high water quality standards for events held in natural bodies of water, as well as the potential risks that athletes may face when competing in such environments. As the Paris Olympics continue, the organizers will need to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate measures to protect the health and safety of the athletes.