look news india
Paris, August 5 (HS). The Belgian Olympic Committee announced on Sunday that it will withdraw its team from the mixed relay triathlon at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Belgium has taken this decision after one of its competitors fell ill while swimming in the Seine River.
Claire Michel, who competed in the women's triathlon on Wednesday, “is unfortunately ill and will have to withdraw from the competition,” the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee said in a statement.
The mixed relay triathlon is scheduled to take place on Monday, with the swimming portion of the competition also scheduled to take place on the Seine. The statement did not elaborate on Michel's illness, but it comes after concerns over the river's water quality. Organisers had said bacteria levels in the river were at a level considered safe for athletes.
“Hopefully lessons will be learned for future triathlon competitions at the Olympic Games. We are thinking here about guaranteeing training days, competition days and the format of the competition, which must be clarified in advance and ensure there is no uncertainty for athletes, teams and supporters,” the Belgian committee said.