Belgium has withdraw from the mixed relay triathlon race on Monday after the conditions of the Seine River has taken one of their own.
Claire Michel of Belgium developed an illness after swimming in the river in the heart of Paris in the women’s triathlon on Wednesday, of which she finished in 38th place.
“The BOIC and Belgian Triathlon must unfortunately announce that the ‘Belgian Hammers’ will not be starting the mixed relay at the Paris Olympic Games tomorrow,” a statement from the country reads. “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.”
The statement also made sure to point fingers at the IOC and organizers of the Paris Games in an effort to guarantee these issues don’t occur in the future of the Olympics.“The COIB and Belgian Triathlon hope that lessons will be learned for future triathlon competitions at the Olympic Games such as guaranteeing training days, competition days and the competition format, which must be clarified in advance and ensure that there is no uncertainty for the athletes and support personnel.”
Jolien Vermeylen of Belgium also ripped officials at the start of the triathlon events on Friday.
“While swimming under the bridge, I felt and saw things that we shouldn’t think about too much,” she said. “We’ll know tomorrow if I’m sick or not,” she said. “It doesn’t taste like Coca-Cola or Sprite, of course.”
Belgium, however, was not alone in the unfortunate sickness of their athlete. Switzerland swimmers have also caught the bug and were forced to mix up their roster for the triathlon relay.
Switzerland’s Adrien Briffod was replaced with Simon Westermann after a gastrointestinal infection, but it’s unclear if the infection is related to swimming in the Seine, according to Swiss Olympic Chief Medical Officer Hanspeter Betschart.
“A survey of my colleagues from other countries has so far not revealed any accumulation of gastrointestinal illnesses among the athletes who started the individual race last Wednesday,” Betschart said.
