Belgium were forced to pull out of the mixed triathlon relay after one of their athletes was hospitalised with an E. coli infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Claire Michel, 35, has been sick for the past four days, an illness that has now ruled her out of the race entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Belgium unable to replace her in their four-person team, they have been forced to withdraw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along with Michel, Swiss triathlete Adrien Briffod has fallen seriously ill following the men\u2019s individual event, according to reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee released a statement saying: \u201cThe BOIC and Belgian Triathlon hope that lessons will be learned for future triathlon competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are thinking of training days that can be guaranteed, competition days and formats that are clear in advance and circumstances that do not lead to uncertainty among athletes, entourage and fans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Athletes voiced concerns ahead of the event. (Photo by MARTIN BUREAU \/ POOL \/ AFP)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Michel\u2019s E. coli infection comes after pollution in the River Seine led to the men\u2019s individual event being postponed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was pushed back by a day, before Team GB\u2019s Alex Yee eventually claimed the gold medal in the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Great Britian are one of the favourites to secure the gold medal in the mixed relay alongside hosts France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, fears are growing that the event could be cancelled after athletes were not allowed a practice swim due once again to poor water quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heavy rain in Paris has increased E. coli levels and other bacteria in the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Swimming in the river has been banned since 1923 due to the poor water quality and health hazards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But ahead of the Games the government splurged $1.5 billion in an attempt to clean the quality up. Despite the extensive efforts the results have fallen short of expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Belgian triathlete Jolien Vermeylen, a teammate of the hospitalised Michel, was less than impressed with the water when she swam in the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking to VTM after the women\u2019s race, she said: \u201cI drank a lot of water, so we\u2019ll know tomorrow if I\u2019m sick or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t taste like Coca-Cola or Sprite, of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/image-5-1024x576.jpeg\")
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