NOT-SO-FRIENDLY. Controversy over Seine's cleanliness looms as the first Olympic triathlon finally takes place. Team Belgium has withdrawn from the race after one of its players fell sick after last week's event. (Anadolu)
ANKARA – Team Belgium has withdrawn from Monday's Paris 2024 triathlon relay after an Olympian fell sick.
In a statement, the team said that Belgian triathlete Claire Michel, one of the members of the relay, is "unfortunately ill and has to withdraw from the competition."
The same source added that after consultation with the athletes and their entourage, the Belgian team will not "take part in the mixed relay at the Paris Olympic Games tomorrow."
On July 31, Michel, 35, swam in the River Seine during an Olympic triathlon event in women's individual.
French sports daily L'Equipe said that Michel had been taken to a hospital after she was infected with E.coli.
The first training session for triathletes at the Paris Olympics was previously canceled due to pollution in the River Seine, the organizers said last weekend.
Then women and men's triathlon events were held on July 31.
France's Cassandre Beaugrand (women's individual) and Team Great Britain's Alex Yee (men's individual) won gold medals each at Paris 2024 triathlon on Wednesday.
The Olympics will end on Aug. 11. (Anadolu)
