The Belgian team has decided to withdraw from the mixed relay triathlon event at the Paris 2024 Olympics after one of their athletes, Claire Michel, fell ill.
The Belgian Olympic Committee (COIB) confirmed the news: “Claire Michel, a member of the national relay team, unfortunately fell ill and had to withdraw from the competition. COIB and the Belgian Triathlon Federation hope to learn valuable lessons for future competitions.
“We seek assurances for training and competition conditions. However, these were not guaranteed, causing uncertainty for athletes, staff, and fans.”
The Belgian team’s withdrawal likely stems from ongoing controversies regarding the water quality of the Seine River, where host organizers have assured its safety for competition. Nevertheless, some athletes have fallen ill after swimming there.
Last week, training on the Seine was interrupted, and the men’s individual event was postponed due to pollution concerns. Many triathletes have also complained about the strong current in the Seine posing dangers, while others have expressed concerns about the water quality and delays affecting their training and competition schedules.
Belgian athlete Jolien Vermeylen bluntly criticized the Seine, stating its water quality was “worse than public swimming pools.”
Yesterday, World Triathlon, the governing body for triathlon, and the organizers held another meeting to assess the Seine’s water quality. They concluded that the river remains suitable for competition. Over the past two days, heavy rains and strong winds stirred up sediment from the riverbed, causing unusual pollution. World Triathlon believes conditions have now improved, allowing athletes to compete.