Paris Olympics: Belgian Triathlete Becomes Ill After Swimming in Seine; Germany Wins Mixed Relay

Paris Olympics: Belgian Triathlete Becomes Ill After Swimming in Seine; Germany Wins Mixed Relay

Belgium’s squad for the triathlon mixed relay at the Olympic Games in Paris was forced to withdraw from Monday’s competition after team member Claire Michel became sick after swimming in the Seine River during the women’s triathlon competition. Belgian media have reported that Michel was hospitalized and diagnosed with E. coli after competing in the Seine, which has come under scrutiny for its poor conditions. In a social-media post, Michel noted she did not have E. coli, but instead was hit by a virus.

Ahead of the Olympics, there was much discussion concerning the use of the Seine for the triathlon events, along with the open-water 10K races, which are scheduled for Thursday (women) and Friday (men). France has spent more than $1 billion as part of efforts to improve the conditions of the Seine. Enhanced problems are faced when rainfall causes sewage to leak into the Seine. Because of the poor conditions, the men’s triathlon was delayed a day earlier in the Games, and practice sessions were canceled.

Whether the Seine will be used for the open-water races will be determined over the next two days and will be linked to water-condition readings that are taken by officials. If the races cannot be held in the famed river, plans have been made to hold competition just outside of Paris at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium. That venue has been the host of canoe, kayak and rowing events.

The mixed triathlon relay saw Germany capture the gold medal in a three-way tight finish that included the United States (silver) and Great Britain (bronze). Germany posted a time of 1:25:39, using the team of Tim Hellwig, Lisa Tertsch, Lasse Luehrs and Laura Lindemann. The United States (Seth Rider, Taylor Spivey, Morgan Pearson and Taylor Knibb) and Great Britain (Alex Yee, Georgia Taylor-Brown, Samuel Dickinson and Beth Potter) had matching times of 1:25:40, but the U.S. was awarded silver in a photo finish.

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