Sickness bug strikes World Championships athletes staying at London hotel
The London hotel where athletes competing in the World Championships are staying has denied it is to blame for a sickness bug that has struck down several team members.
The Tower Hotel said investigations by environmental health offices and the International Association of Athletes Federations had shown the hotel was not the source of the illness.
Several German and Canadian athletes staying at the hotel fell ill last week and Botswana’s Isaac Makwala, who is a favourite for the 400 metres, withdrew from the 200 metres yesterday, apparently suffering from food poisoning.
Thirty German athletes due to arrive today will be moved to other hotels.
The Local Organising Committee released a statement confirming there had been a number of cases of gastroenteritis reported by team members staying in an official team hotel.
It added that it was working with Public Health England to manage and contain the situation.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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