Hotel quarantined, stomach bug leaves athletes high & dry

LONDON: London 2017 organisers have ordered a floor in one of the hotels used by competitors to be quarantined after an outbreak of gastroenteritis was confirmed in a hotel.

The Tower Hotel, near Tower Bridge, told the BBC on Tuesday morning that investigations in conjunction with health officers and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) concluded “they are not the source of the illness” but at least two athletes who were due to compete were forced to withdraw from their events and the German and Canadian teams who were staying there are also believed to have been affected.

“We have followed strict hygiene protocol, ensuring that those affected are not in contact with other guests and all public areas have been thoroughly sanitised,” the hotel stated.

Botswana’s Isaac Makwala, a medal prospect in the 400m on Tuesday night, was given medical dispensation to withdraw from the 200m heats after throwing up in the call room. Makwala would normally be scratched from the final after pulling out of another event.

As he missed the heats on medical advice, however, he would be able to run, if fit.

“According to IAAF medics I am apparently suffering from food poisoning which has affected several other athletes in the athletes’ hotel,” Makwala wrote on his Facebook page.

A number of other athletes staying at the same hotel also have gastroenteritis, including the Ireland 400m hurdler Thomas Barr.

“I’m gutted to have to withdraw from the semifinal. My whole year has been focused on the World Championships. To not be able to go out and compete for Ireland is beyond disappointing.

MEDICAL SUPPORT

“An organisers’ statement read: “Those affected have been supported by both team and local organising committee medical staff. In addition we have been working with Public Health England to ensure the situation is managed and contained.”