Belgian sailor sick from water
RIO DE JANEIRO — A Belgian woman who won a 2012 bronze medal has become sick, the first Olympic competitor to fall ill after sailing the polluted waters of Guanabara Bay.
Evi Van Acker reported feeling sick after racing Wednesday, the governing body World Sailing said. Her poor performances have put her at risk of missing out on a medal in the Laser Radial class.
Her coach told the Belgian VRT network he believes Van Acker contracted a severe intestinal infection while training in Rio de Janeiro in July.
“Evi caught a bacteria in early July that causes dysentery,” coach Wil Van Bladel said. “Doctors say this can seriously disrupt energy levels for three months. It became clear [Wednesday] that she lacked energy during tough conditions. She could not use full force for a top condition . ... The likelihood that she caught it here during contact with the water is very big.”
The poor quality of Guanabara Bay was at the forefront of the buildup to the Olympics. An independent study by The Associated Press showed high levels of viruses in the water as well as bacteria from human sewage.
Coach investigated
The International Olympic Committee will investigate the incident of a Kenyan track and field coach who was sent home from the Olympics after posing as an athlete and giving a doping sample in the runner’s name. The IOC said it has set up a disciplinary commission “to look into the matter with regard to the coach and the athlete concerned.” The IOC thanked the Kenyan Olympic Committee for its “swift action” in expelling coach John Anzrah after he was found with 800-meter runner Ferguson Rotich’s accreditation card, and after he had provided a urine sample for a doping test.
Nadal withdraws
Spaniard Rafael Nadal pulled out of mixed doubles at the Olympics before playing his first-round match. The International Tennis Federation announced Nadal’s withdrawal, when he was supposed to make his debut in that event for Spain with Garbine Muguruza. Their match against Lucie Hradecka and Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic had been scheduled to be Nadal’s third contest of the day.