Virus hits over a dozen Games swimmers

MORE than a dozen swimmers from Australia and England have fallen ill at the Commonwealth Games in the latest setback for trouble-plagued organisers in New Delhi.

British media reported that 20% of the England team’s swimmers — about eight to 10 competitors — had been struck down with a stomach virus. The Australian team confirmed at least six of its swimmers had been sick, including Andrew Lauterstein, who had to withdraw from the 50-metre butterfly.

Craig Hunter, the head of England’s delegation, said he had received assurances from the organising committee that the water was safe. The England team said only 8% of its 541-member delegation had experienced any kind of stomach virus in the previous 28 days, which was lower than expected. That’s 43 people from one team in a month.