Belgium triathlete falls ill

Belgium's Olympic team has withdrawn from the mixed relay triathlon after Claire Michel fell ill, reportedly due to an E. coli infection following her swim in the polluted Seine River. Michel, who finished 38th in the individual triathlon, has been hospitalized and her illness raises concerns about the river's water quality, which faced scrutiny prior to the events. Heavy rains exacerbated pollution levels, leading to the cancellation of practice swims and prompting the Belgian team to forfeit the competition. Despite tests indicating acceptable E. coli levels on the day of the individual races, the Belgian Triathlon Federation emphasized the need for improved conditions for athletes. The situation has sparked discussions on the safety of open-water events in the Seine, a body of water that was deemed too contaminated for swimming until recent cleanup efforts by France. Organizers continue to monitor the river's water quality ahead of upcoming swimming events.