There have been concerns about the water quality of the river running through the centre of Paris ever since the Games kicked off last month – so much so that organizers delayed triathlon events due to contamination.
Races have since taken place in the water, but now two of the athletes who swam in the Seine have had to withdraw from events due to illness.
Belgium’s Claire Michel finished 38th in the women’s triathlon last week, but she since became too ill to take part in the mixed triathlon which took place today (August 5).
As a result, Belgium was forced to withdraw its entire team from the event.
In a statement, the country said it hopes ‘that lessons will be learned for future 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, entourage and supporters,” they added.
Meanwhile, Swiss triathlete Adrien Briffod has been struggling with a stomach infection and consequently also had to withdraw from the team relay.
Neither country have confirmed whether the illness are linked to the river, however, reports in Belgium have suggested Michel was infected with E. coli – a bacteria which can make you ill with diarrhea, vomiting and a fever.
The Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee has not elaborated on Michel’s illness.
Meanwhile, the Switzerland Olympic team said it was ‘impossible to say’ if Briffod’s illness was a result of his swim in the River Seine.
The mixed relay ultimately went ahead today after organizers assured that bacteria levels in the river were at a level considered safe for athletes.
There were previously concerns the race could be pushed back after heavy rain on Wednesday and Thursday caused levels of bacteria in the water to rise once again.
Germany managed to secure the gold medal in the event, followed by the US with silver and the UK with bronze.
Morgan Pearson, who competed in the event for the US, described the water as ‘quite brown’.
He also admitted to having some reservations ahead of the event, saying: “We were looking out the window constantly thinking: ‘Oh no, it’s raining again’.”
Water samples of the Seine are being taken daily during the Olympics so organizers can assess the risks of swimming in the river.
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