2024 Olympics: a Belgian triathlete hospitalized after an event in the Seine
Belgian triathlete Claire Michel, who finished 38th in the women's triathlon at the Paris Games on July 31, fell ill, leading to the cancellation of the Belgian team's participation in the mixed event scheduled for Monday, the Committee announced Belgian Olympic Games (COIB).
Contamination and hospitalization
Claire Michel was infected with the Escherichia coli bacteria, according to Flemish media. Although no direct link has been established with the 1 meters she swam in the Seine, the triathlete is currently suffering from intestinal and stomach problems and has been hospitalized for four days. Due to a lack of replacement, the Belgian team had to forfeit the mixed event.
Criticisms of the Belgian Olympic Committee
The COIB confirmed the information on Sunday evening in a press release, criticizing the organizers: “The COIB and Belgian Triathlon hope that lessons will be learned for the next triathlon competitions at the Olympic Games”. The men's event had already been postponed for 24 hours due to the poor water quality of the Seine.
Several Belgian athletes have in fact expressed their concerns regarding the quality of the water in the Seine. “I saw and felt things that I preferred not to think about,” said another Belgian athlete after her individual triathlon the previous week.
Precedents and future measures
In August 2023, triathlon “test events” were largely canceled due to poor water quality, which did not meet European standards. A decision on whether to hold the mixed event was to be made early Monday morning, depending on the results of the water analyses.
The French authorities and organizers had strongly promoted the sanitation of the Seine as a marketing and political argument. The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and the president of the Games, Tony Estanguet, even bathed in the Seine a few days before the opening of the Games, under the gaze of the media.
Reaction from Emmanuel Macron
Emmanuel Macron had welcomed the holding of the tests with a message on the social network -Marne, in four years we have achieved the impossible for 100 years: the Seine is swimmable”, calling this a “fabulous heritage” for the inhabitants and biodiversity.
Alice Leroy
