Triathlete sick: Belgium team missing Olympic mixed
If the mixed teams in the Triathlon in Paris go to the start, Claire Michel cannot be there: Because the Belgian athlete swam in the Seine in her individual competition and then had to be hospitalized, her team harshly criticizes the organization and withdraws completely from the race.
Due to the illness of athlete Claire Michel, Belgium's National Olympic Committee (BOIC) has withdrawn its Triathlon team from the mixed relay scheduled for the morning (8 am). Michel participated in the individual competition on Wednesday, swimming in the Seine. On Sunday, she was taken to the polyclinic in the Olympic Village and is now back in her room in the athlete's village, according to the BOIC.
The Belgian NOC did not comment on the medical details but criticized the organization of the Triathlon competitions at the Summer Games in Paris. "The COIB and Belgian Triathlon hope that lessons will be learned for the next Triathlon competitions at the Olympic Games," the statement said. "We think about ensuring clarity on training days, competition days, and the competition format before the event and ensuring there are no uncertainties for the athletes, entourage, and fans."
Triathlon training canceled again
Michel, 35, finished 38th in the individual event. The competition was on the brink due to the poor water quality of the Seine but was able to proceed after the values improved.
The bacterial load in the Seine has been a topic in Paris for weeks. After heavy rain on the day of the opening ceremony, the limits for E. coli bacteria in the river were initially exceeded, leading to the men's Triathlon being postponed by a day. On Wednesday, the men's and women's competitions took place on the same day.
The poor water quality of the Seine continued to cause problems on Sunday. The last scheduled swimming training for the mixed Triathlon competition was canceled. A decision on whether the competition can proceed as planned will be made on Monday morning, just a few hours before the scheduled start.
Despite the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris offering a mixed teams Triathlon event, Belgium will not be represented due to the withdrawal of its Triathlon team, led by the illness of Claire Michel. The Belgian National Olympic Committee (NOC) has expressed their concerns about the organization and has urged for better clarity and preparation in future Triathlon competitions.
