London: The world athletics championships being held in London has been hit by an outbreak of norovirus, health officials have confirmed.
Public Health England (PHE) said it had been notified of about 30 cases of people associated with the event, London 2017, falling ill; two of those have been confirmed by laboratory tests as having the vomiting bug.
PHE said it could not be more precise “because norovirus is very easily spread”, meaning more suspected cases could yet emerge. At least two athletes due to compete were forced to withdraw from their events.
The German and Canadian teams staying at the Tower Hotel, near Tower Bridge, are believed to have been affected.
The Tower Hotel told the BBC that investigations in conjunction with health officers and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) concluded the hotel was not the source of the illness.
“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 said.
Botswana’s Isaac Makwala, a medal prospect in the 400m on Tuesday, was given medical dispensation to withdraw from the 200m heats after throwing up in the medical 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.
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 semi-final. My whole year has been focused on the world championships. To not be able to go out and compete for Ireland is beyond disappointing.”
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.
“As a result, further advice and guidelines have been issued to team doctors and support staff — standard procedure for such an occurrence where a number of teams are occupying championship accommodation.”
