Triathletes Hospitalized After Olympic Seine River Swim

Belgium withdrew from the Olympic mixed relay triathlon after athlete Claire Michel fell ill with a reported E. coli infection following her swim in the Seine.

Despite France's $1.5 billion investment to clean the river, recent heavy rains spiked bacteria levels, forcing the Belgian team to forfeit and call for better athlete safety guarantees in future competitions.

Belgium pulled out of the mixed relay triathlon after Claire Michel fell ill following her Seine swim, and the E. coli line never held up: weeks later she said blood tests showed a virus made her sick the AP. Her federation had demanded training days guaranteed in advance and formats clear before races, while athletes absorbed rain delays and postponements NPR. France's cleanup, priced at 1.4 billion euros, delivered race ready water only sometimes, and Paris opened three public swimming sites on July 5, 2025 under daily testing despite an independent monitor calling official safety methods inadequate.