The Belgian national team gave up the triathlon mixed relay at the Olympic Games in Paris after one of its athletes, Claire Michel, fell ill, the Olympic Committee of Belgium (COIB) announced yesterday.
"The COIB and Belgian Triathlon hope that lessons will be learned for future triathlon events at the Olympic Games. We are thinking about the possibility of coaching as well as the format of the competition that must be clarified in advance to ensure that there is no uncertainty for athletes, supporters and fans," she said. is the Croatian news agency HINA.
The COIB did not announce what the 35-year-old triathlete is suffering from, but the Belgian newspaper "De Standaard" reported that Claire Michel has been ill for four days and is in the hospital. She is infected with E.coli bacteria, which causes stomach and intestinal problems, and the cause may be the polluted river Seine.
"This is a circus with athletes, like marionettes," said Belgian triathlete Maarten Van Riel.
The quality of the Seine water caused disputes and uncertainties during the Games, and several training sessions were cancelled. The men's competition was postponed until last Wednesday, to eventually take place on the same day as the women's.
The organizers said that they are confident that the relay will take place today despite the cancellation of yesterday's training.
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