Stomach bug forces top athletes at same hotel to pull out of races

A NUMBER of athletes competing in the World Athletics Championships in London have been affected by a stomach virus, including the track and field star Isaac Makwala.

Several teams staying at one of the official hotels for the competition have been taken ill, the local organising committee confirmed last night.

One of the most high-profile victims was reported to be Makwala, from Botswana, one of the favourites for today’s 400 metres final, who was due to race in the first round of the 200 metres yesterday but did not start.

He was withdrawn due to “an unspecified medical condition” by an International Association of Athletics Federations medical official, though it was not immediately confirmed if he was staying at the hotel in question.

Meanwhile, Canada’s 200m runner Aaron Brown confirmed that he had also been affected, while Irish 400m hurdler Thomas Barr was forced to pull out from his semi-final yesterday morning. Speaking to reporters, Brown said he had been suffering from a stomach bug shortly after arriving in London, adding that he had been confined to his room “the entire day”.

“It hit at night, couldn’t sleep, aching stomach,” he added. “Felt like the movie Alien, when they breed the alien and the thing’s running around inside. It felt like that. I was holding my stomach the entire night.”

It is understood that no members of Team GB have been affected

The London 2017 organisers released a statement last night confirming that a number of team members had reported numerous cases of gastroenteritis at their hotel. “Those affected have been supported by both team and LOC medical staff. In addition we have been working with Public Health England to ensure the situation is managed and contained,” the statement added.