More than 50 swimmers fall ill after sea event

2023-08-07 11:41:02

At least 57 swimmers suffered from diarrhea and vomiting after taking part in the World Triathlon Championships stage in Sunderland (UK) at the end of July. The Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) is investigating to determine the causes of these symptoms. She said she would send out a questionnaire and request samples from sick people.

The Environment Agency had carried out analyzes at Roker Beach, where the water quality is usually very good, three days before the competition. These analyzes revealed a presence of Escherichia coli bacteria 39 times higher than the usual rate.

Feb 2023: Thérèse Coffey, “Bathing waters have got much cleaner under this Conservative administration.”

August 2023: Guardian, “Fifty-seven swimmers fall sick and get diarrhoea at world triathlon championship in Sunderland.” pic.twitter.com/rnqoZz2jFj

— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) August 5, 2023

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Sewer pollution?

“I’ve been feeling pretty bad since the race, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re swimming in m***,” Australian triathlete Jake Birtwistle said on Instagram. According to the sportsman, the event should have been “cancelled” given the results of water analyses.

The competition was held in an area of ​​the coastline at the heart of a controversy over sewage discharges from water companies, a scourge in the UK. Local operator Northumbrian Water told the Guardian that the discharges did not affect the beach where the stage took place because they were “intercepted” and evacuated by an outfall at sea.

The heavy rains at the end of July in question

The British triathlon organization also affirmed that the results of the analyzes carried out before the competition were within the standards. He added that the Environment Agency scans were only released after the competition and did not cover the area behind the pier where the event took place.

According to Environment Agency officials, the results of the samples taken on July 26 were not released until the 31st because they required laboratory analysis. “Temporary drops in water quality can be caused by several factors, including heavy rains,” a spokesperson added.

In Paris, a swimming test event in the Seine scheduled for the same weekend was canceled due to pollution attributed to recent heavy rainfall. The French authorities ensure that they remain confident in view of the 2024 Olympics.