Belgium Withdraws from Mixed Relay Triathlon at Paris Olympics Due to Claire Michel's Illness from Seine River

Aug 4, 2024, 08:15 PM

Belgium has withdrawn from the mixed relay triathlon at the Paris 2024 Olympics, scheduled for Monday, after one of its athletes, Claire Michel, fell ill following a swim in the Seine River. The decision comes amid growing concerns over water quality, as the Seine has shown dangerous levels of E. coli throughout the Olympics. Switzerland has also faced issues, with athlete Adrien Briffod withdrawing due to illness after swimming in the same river. The Belgian athlete was hospitalized for 4 days, raising questions about the safety of holding events in the Seine, with several athletes reportedly affected by the water quality.