Adding to a Commonwealth games that has been blighted by problems the Commonwealth Games Officials are to investigate water quality in the practice pools after several swimmers have been taken ill. An estimated 20% of the England swim team, including high profile athletes Rebecca Adlington and Fran Halsall, have suffered stomach upsets during the competition in Delhi. Australia has reported at least six swimmers suffering from illness, including Andrew Lauterstein who pulled out of the 50m butterfly on Wednesday.
“It’s a matter we’ll deal with with the greatest of urgency,” said Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Mike Fennell. “We must find this out immediately. If there’s something unsafe you can’t swim in that water. We have ensured the water quality is tested, and food. We don’t have specific reports about illness and the reasons why. “We are concerned if athletes are not well and cannot perform at their best. We haven’t had specific reports of swimming being different from the rest.”
Whilst a certain degree of stomach upset is to be expected from a few of the team when adjusting to a different climate, Halsall appeared seriously unwell when photographed receiving her bronze for 100m freestyle. Halsall found it necessary to cut short her post-race interview with the BBC in order to be sick in relative privacy. “I don’t think I’m very well to be honest.” She said, “I came down with a bit of a tummy bug and had nothing to give, I pretty much couldn’t stand up after my final. I need to go before I am sick on you.”
The England team doctor has confirmed that Adlington and Halsall are just two of “quite a few” swimmers who have come down with the illness. “It is hygiene related.” He said, “They have been assiduous in their personal hygiene but everybody is going down with this acutely.” Australia’s swimming team spokesperson said that their doctors were looking into the illness which has prevented some athletes from training.
A Commonwealth Games England statement says: “As of today there are 541 England team members in the Village. Over the past 28 days 8% of our team have had some kind of mild stomach conditions. These levels are lower than we expected coming into this environment. But we are not complacent and continue to reinforce the need to be vigilant in areas like hand hygiene. Separately, we have asked for reassurances as to the water quality at the aquatics venue.”
Attendance has been poor for much of the games so far, with many athletes competing in front of near empty stands. Now that the cricket, which was free to watch, is over, ticket sales have gone up. Games Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi has said “Ticket sales are going up and most of the major issues have been sorted out. Ticketing is not an issue any more.” Tickets for 80% of the tennis and 90% of the boxing semi-finals and finals have been sold and next week’s rugby sevens tournament and the remainder of the swimming are both sold out.
Australia stands at the top of the medal table with 48 medals, 22 of which are the coveted gold. India is in second place with 12 gold and England is third with 7.
