57 athletes suffer from diarrhea at world triathlon
The incident was widely reported by the British media on August 7, a week after the contest ended. The sea swimming competition, with about 2,000 athletes participating, took place in the Roker Sea - a place famous for the cleanliness of the water not long ago.
A test carried out by the UK Environment Agency just three days before the World Triathlon showed 3,900 E. Coli bacteria in 100ml, nearly 40 times higher than the usual figure from June. E. Coli bacteria can cause severe diarrhea, even life-threatening, and is considered the cause of health problems for 57 athletes participating in the tournament.
But the British Triathlon Federation (BTF) - the organizer of the tournament - said these results will only be announced after the world tournament takes place. The tests by the UK Environment Agency were carried out outside the Roker Sea swimming area. The BTF further emphasized that its own tests showed that the waters in the competition area passed the standards required for a triathlon.
Jacob Birtwhistle - Australian athlete who has won several triathlon events - wrote on Instagram earlier this week: "A week after the race, I still have not recovered from the hangover and fatigue. I guess the reason was that I swam in contaminated water. out, the organizers have to cancel the swimming competition".
Another athlete replied in Birtwhistle's share: "At least I know what makes me and a bunch of other athletes sick and diarrhea." Another wrote: "Ah so that's why. I had to hold the toilet all night and early Monday morning after swimming on Sunday morning."
Ailith Eve Harley-Roberts, 51-year-old triathlete from Leeds competes in the standard triathlon with 1,500m swimming in the sea, admitting she is just a little tired, but many other athletes have severe abdominal pain. "I love swimming outdoors, but I'm not sure how clean the sea water, rivers, lakes... because there's sewage and all sorts of impurities in it," Harley-Roberts told the Guardian.
According to the Daily Mail, the coasts of England and Wales are experiencing large volumes of untreated sewage, with around 380,000 spills in 2022. Data from The Rivers Trust shows a lot of sewage has flooded in. Wear Estuary, near where the swimming part of the July 30 tournament will take place, with 28 runs in 2022 for a total of 370 hours.
The World Triathlon Championship Series is an annual triathlon tournament system that has been running since 2009. This year, Sunderland hosted a stage in the UK for the first time.
