LIVE updates Olympic Games Paris 2024: day 9

The Belgian Olympic Committee has announced that it is withdrawing its team from the mixed relay triathlon at the Paris Olympics after one of the participants fell ill while swimming in the River Seine.

Claire Michelwho took part in the women’s triathlon on Wednesday, “is unfortunately ill and will have to withdraw from the competition,” the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee said in a statement.

The mixed relay triathlon is scheduled for today at 4pm AEST, with the swimming leg also being held on the Seine.

The statement did not address Michel’s illness, but it comes after concerns about the river’s water quality. Organisers had said bacteria levels in the river were at levels considered safe for athletes.

The Belgian committee said it “hopes 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 and ensure that there is no uncertainty for the athletes, entourage and supporters.”

AP