Triathlon-Belgium out of relay after athlete falls ill

PARIS :Belgium will not take part in the triathlon mixed relay event at the Paris Olympics on Monday after one of their athletes, Claire Michel, fell ill, the Belgian Olympic Committee (COIB) said on Sunday.
Training sessions for the swimming leg of the triathlon have been cancelled due to poor water quality in the River Seine and the men’s event was put back to last Wednesday, taking place on the same day as the women’s.
Organisers said on Sunday they were confident Monday’s relay would take place despite cancelling Sunday’s training.
“Claire Michel, a member of the relay team, is unfortunately ill and must withdraw from the competition,” the COIB said in a statement.
“The COIB and Belgian Triathlon hope that lessons will be learned for future triathlon competitions at the Olympic Games.
“We are thinking here of the guarantee of training days, competition days and the competition format, which must be clarified in advance to ensure that there is no uncertainty for athletes, entourage and supporters.”
The COIB released an updated statement to clarify that Michel was back in her room at the Olympic Village.
“We have seen various statements in national and international media with incorrect information,” the later statement said.
“Please note that Claire Michel has not been in the hospital for four days. Furthermore, she was not hospitalised prior to today.
“It is correct that she was taken to the polyclinic in the Olympic Village earlier today for treatment.”
World triathlon said it had not heard from the Belgium team.
“The team has submitted their team declaration, chose their position on the pontoon this morning and checked-in their bikes also this morning. We have not received any other communication form them,” a World Triathlon spokesperson said.
Paris 2024 organisers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.