Belgium’s Evi van Acker was evaluated earlier this week when she felt ill after competing in the Laser Radial class in Guanabara Bay on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.
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Her coach told a Belgian TV network that he believes Van Acker contracted a severe intestinal infection that causes dysentery while training in Rio de Janeiro in July. ‘Doctors say this can seriously disrupt energy levels for three months. “It became clear (Wednesday) that she lacked energy during tough conditions”.
Olympic organisers have faced harsh criticism for choosing Guanabara Bay as the sailing venue and for failing to meet promises to clean up sewage that contaminates the bay with bacteria and viruses and floating trash that threatens to slow or damage boats. John Anzrah, 61, was found with the Olympic accreditation card of Ferguson Rotich, 26, after he had provided a urine sample for a doping test and signed forms in the name of Rotich, Kenyan team leader Stephen Arap Soi said.
The poor quality of Guanabara Bay was in the forefront of the buildup to the Olympics.
Seibel said that every morning World Sailing’s medical and technical officials evaluate the latest water quality testing data provided by the government to make certain conditions acceptable. They said a new trunk sewer completed in the previous year has channeled sewage away from the sailing venue and the World Health Organization water standard for primary contact, or swimming, is higher than is needed for sailing, whose activities are considered secondary contact or not likely to cause immersion. That class is also prone to capsizes.
A Belgian team spokesman said that Van Acker would continue to undergo “evaluation” and that her future participation had not been discussed as of Thursday afternoon. She is 10th overall in her event with four races left before the medals race.
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Van Acker placed second and 12th on Monday, second and 29th Tuesday and then 16th and 15th in tough conditions on Wednesday. This would qualify her for the medals race, but put her off the podium – assuming she’s feeling well enough to compete. We shouldn’t be shocked if more fall ill throughout the course of the Games however. “The cause should be in the Marina da Gloria where there is a constant flow of wastewater from the city hospital”. If you would like to discuss another topic, look for a relevant article.
