Swimmers sick at Commonwealth Games, warmup pool suspected

Swimmers sick at Comm Games, warmup pool suspected

NEW DELHI — The Commonwealth Games is facing a new crisis — reports that up to 15 swimmers on the England and Australian teams have a stomach virus potentially caused by the quality of water at the aquatics center in New Delhi.

England’s swim team doctor was quoted as saying Thursday that about 20 percent of the swimmers — about eight to 10 competitors — are ill with a stomach virus. Australia has reported at least three swimmers had been sick, including Andrew Lauterstein, who was a late scratch from the 50-meter butterfly Wednesday.

Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell says officials will look into the matter urgently and conduct tests on both the main pool and the warmup pool at the Dr. S.P. Makherjee Aquatic Complex.