Belgium has withdrawn from the mixed relay triathlon at the Paris Olympics after one of its athletes fell ill following a swim in the Seine River, according to the country’s Olympic committee.
Claire Michel is “unfortunately unwell and will have to pull out of the competition,” stated the Olympic committee alongside the Interfederal Committee.
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Belgian athlete Claire Michel captured in action during the women’s individual triathlon at the Olympic Games on July 31, 2024, in Paris. (JASPER JACOBS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
Michel participated in the women’s triathlon on Wednesday after multiple training sessions were delayed due to water quality concerns in the Seine River, finishing in 38th place.
The triathlon is scheduled to proceed at 8 a.m. local time, according to Paris 2024 organizers. While Belgian officials did not specify the nature of Michel’s illness, discussions about water quality had intensified leading up to the triathlon events.
World Triathlon, the International Olympic Committee, event organizers, and local authorities had monitored water quality, finding that conditions had recently improved and fell within the acceptable limits set by World Triathlon.
Claire Michel of Belgium is helped by Lotte Miller of Norway following the women’s individual triathlon at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo on July 27, 2021. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
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Based on World Triathlon standards, E. coli levels up to 1,000 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters are deemed acceptable for competition. Continuous water testing has been conducted in the Seine.
Belgian Olympic representatives expressed their hope for lessons to be absorbed for future Olympic triathlon events. They emphasized the need for clear guidelines regarding training days, competition dates, and formats to prevent uncertainty for athletes, coaches, and fans.
Australia’s Natalie Van Coevorden (15), Belgium’s Claire Michel (5), and Kazakhstan’s Ekaterina Shabalina (32) compete in the swim segment of the women’s individual triathlon event at the Summer Olympics in Paris on July 31, 2024. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
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Concerns regarding water quality led to the cancellation of the swimming segment in two test events. Additionally, test swims for the mixed relay were called off on Saturday and Sunday due to elevated bacteria levels.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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