|
Water quality tests at Odaiba Marine Park found
fecal bacteria levels far exceeded accepted limits, organizers
said, forcing them to pull the plug on the swimming events.
The change was the latest to highlight problems that could arise
during next year's Games due to Tokyo's sweltering summer
temperatures.
Soaring temperatures have killed dozens of people across Japan
since late July, highlighting the possible health threat to
athletes and fans. Next year's Summer Olympics will be held
between July 24-Aug. 9, followed by the Paralympics on Aug.
25-Sept. 6.
After Saturday's course format was changed to a duathlon,
British Joseph Townsend, a former Royal Marine Commando, won the
men's race for wheelchair athletes. Japan's Wakako Tsuchida won
the women's race.
Most varieties of E.coli are harmless or cause relatively minor
diarrhea, but more aggressive strains can cause severe stomach
cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, and in some cases lead to
a form of kidney failure.
Tokyo 2020 organizers told Reuters that they would install more
filtering screens in Tokyo Bay ahead of the Games.
Spokesman Masa Takaya said in a statement on Saturday that a
comprehensive review would be undertaken and best efforts would
be made to provide a "safe and sound environment for athletes"
in the Games next year.
(Reporting by Ritsuko Ando and Jack Tarrant; Editing by Simon
Cameron-Moore)
[© 2019 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2019 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
 |
|
