AN unfortunately timed sewage outflow is being blamed for the sudden illness of almost 60 elite athletes competing in a triathlon in the UK last month.
The swimming event was part of the World Triathlon Championship Series in Sunderland, with the UK Health Security Agency confirming it will be testing samples from those who fell ill with gastric symptoms after taking part.
Sampling conducted three days before the event showed 3,900 E.Coli colonies per 100ml of water collected at Roker Beach near where the competitors swam - almost 40 times readings the prior month.
British Triathlon, which ran the event, said the testing results weren't published until after the competition, and insisted its own testing showed it was safe.
However that was contrary to social media posts by many of the swimmers, one of whom said "that now explains why I spent Monday night with my head in the toilet after racing".
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