Claire Michel Hospitalized for E. Coli: Belgium Withdraws from Olympic Triathlon

Belgium withdrew its team from the triathlon relay scheduled for today in Paris. Claire Michelone of its athletes, was taken ill and hospitalized in the clinical center of the Olympic Village, as reported l’Equipe and the New York Times. An episode that inevitably rekindles controversy and questions about the quality of the water in the Seine, the Parisian river chosen as the competition venue. “Thank you all for the messages, they are taking care of me and I will recover. I am especially devastated for the team and sad to end the Games like this” wrote Claire Michel on Instagram.

Michel, fear of escherichia coli infection

Claire Michel he had taken part in the individual triathlon on Wednesday in the waters of the Seine and suffered problems a few days later: the Belgian Olympic Committee has not provided details on his state of health, but local media are talking about an escherichia coli infection. The quality of the river water has caused the cancellation of several training sessions before the individual races and also before the relay: the Seine was found to be too polluted after the rain that fell in the French capital in recent days.

The Belgian Committee’s accusations against the organizing committee

In the note, the Belgian sports summit blames the Paris organization for the uncertainty over the training and competition calendar. “The Belgian Olympic Committee and the triathlon federation hope that the lesson will be learned in view of the next triathlon competitions at the Olympics.”

Two Swiss athletes with symptoms forced to retire

The race went ahead anyway, without Belgium and without two Swiss triathletes, Simon Westermann and Adrien Briffod, who are suffering from symptoms of a gastro-intestinal infection and have been left out. Switzerland competed and came in seventh behind Italy, who came in sixth.

The Organizing Committee: “The Seine water is improving”

The Paris Committee reiterated that Claire Michel was treated in the Village’s clinical center, not in hospital, and then returned to her accommodation, and that according to the tests carried out at 5.30 this morning, August 5, “the quality of the water in the Seine at the triathlon site has improved and the data will be within the acceptable limits for the World Triathlon Federation”.