Swiss Triathlete Withdraws from Mixed Relay Due to Stomach Infection

Three days after the men's triathlon at the Paris Olympics, Swiss triathlete Adrien Briffod has withdrawn from the mixed relay event due to a stomach infection. The link to water quality in River Seine remains uncertain. Despite heavy rains affecting water quality, no other triathletes reported similar issues. The event raises concerns over the safety of the Seine, which underwent a $1.5 billion cleanup effort.

Three days post the men's triathlon at the Paris Olympics, the Swiss team has confirmed that one of its athletes, Adrien Briffod, has withdrawn from the mixed relay event due to a stomach infection.

The team stated it is “impossible to say” if Briffod's gastrointestinal issue is linked to the water quality in the River Seine. No other cases of stomach problems have been reported among other nations' triathletes who participated in the individual races, according to the Swiss team's doctor, Hanspeter Betschart.

The health risks of having athletes swim in the long-polluted Seine, despite a $1.5 billion project aimed at cleaning the water, were some of the primary concerns for Olympics organizers. Heavy rains had earlier delayed the men's triathlon event by more than 24 hours. Despite these risks, French President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo showcased their support by swimming in the Seine before the games commenced.