Commonwealth Games athletes hit by virus

The Commonwealth Games organisers said they would investigate the matter immediately.

The illness has hit some of England’s swimming stars, including Fran Halsall, who has had stomach problems. Rebecca Adlington was also thought to be suffering, but managed to win a gold medal today in the 800m freestyle.

Team doctors said up to 20 per cent of the team could be sick with the so-called “Delhi belly”. There are some concerns that the warm up pool could be to blame.

Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennell said at a press conference:”It’s a matter we’ll deal with with the greatest urgency. 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.

One athlete blogs for Channel 4 News on the Commonwealth Games in Delhi

“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.”

He was also questioned over reports of condoms blocking the toilets in the athletes’ village. Free condoms have been given to athletes at major sporting events since the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

Mr Fennell said: “If that is happening, it shows there is use of condoms and I think that’s a very positive story, that athletes are being responsible.”

'Delhi-belly' strikes at the Commonwealth Games
If there is one thing that unites everyone in India - both citizens and visitors alike - it’s a healthy distrust for the water, Asia Correspondent John Sparks writes from India.

Most like it tightly wrapped in plastic. Of course this is not an option for the swimmers at the Commonwealth Games. If they want to win and they have to get in it.

A significant number of swimmers have not been taking the plunge however. It is thought that as many as 50 competitors have picked up various gastric ailments. Such problems are referred to locally and almost affectionately as "Delhi-belly".

Team officials have been raising concerns about the water quality at the Dr S P Mukherjee Swimming Pool for the last few days (in fact it contains two pools - one for training and one for competition).

So, is this the reason why swimmers are dropping like flies?

Read the blog in full here

‘We are not complacent’

Commonwealth Games England put out a statement which read: “As of today there are 541 England team members in the Village. Over the past 28 days 8 per cent 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.”

The Commonwealth Games has already faced major criticism over safety, hygiene and corruption, and some athletes delayed their arrivals over hygiene concerns in the athletes’ village.

A bridge collapsed in the complex before the games began and the organisers were booed at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Delhi.