media_artricles :: 2017

Ahye struck down by virus

The temperature in England dropped to 15 degrees Celsius, one could not be blamed for having sympathy with the athletes from the Caribbean in particular. The end result was the surprise announcement of the withdrawal of sixth placed 100 meters runner Michelle-Lee Ahye of T&T from the 200 metres event, some three hours before the start of the heats.

Upon investigation as to why the sudden withdrawal, Dexter Voisin, the manager of the T&T contingent at the World Championships stated: "Michele is withdrawing from the 200 metres due to virus symptoms."

Asked if it was the same gastro virus symptoms that have been reported to have affected over 30 athletes competing and staying at the Championship's Games Village, Voisin responded: "Not according to the doctor reported that the symptoms is that of a virus."

Questioned as to whether Ahye will be fit enough to take the track for the 4x100 women's relay team, Voisin responded: "We are monitoring the situation."

Meanwhile, the media in London, the Guardian newspapers particularly has reported that: "The world athletics championships being held in London has been hit by an outbreak of norovirus, health officials have confirmed.

Public Health England (PHE) said it had been notified of about 30 cases of people associated with the event, London 2017, falling ill; two of those have been confirmed by laboratory tests as having the vomiting bug.

PHE said it could not be more precise because norovirus was very easily spread, meaning more suspected cases could yet emerge.

At least two athletes due to compete were forced to withdraw from their events.

The German and Canadian teams staying at the Tower hotel, near Tower Bridge, are believed to have been affected.

The hotel told the BBC that investigations in conjunction with health officers and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) concluded the hotel was not the source of the illness.

"We have followed strict hygiene protocol, ensuring that those affected are not in contact with other guests and all public areas have been thoroughly sanitised," the hotel said.

Botswana's Isaac Makwala, a medal prospect in the 400m final on Tuesday, was given medical dispensation to withdraw from the 200m heats on Monday after vomiting in the stadium medical room. A statement from the IAAF later on Tuesday said he had also withdrawn from the 400m on medical grounds."

McKnight 8th in semis run, Hackett injured

First in action , for Trinidad and Tobago in the womens 200 metres was Kayelle Clarke in Heat 4 , and the youngster in her first senior games fought hard and finished sixth in 23.75 seconds.

Clarke told Guardian Media Sports that: "It was a good experience, I have learnt a lot from it and I will go back to school and improve because this has given me an incentive improve and get better and to stay focus ."

Semoy Hackett, who ran in Heat 7 finished in 3rd position, but unfortunately was injured during the race and had to be taken away for a medical treatment. Given the illness to Ahye earlier that caused her to miss her 200 metres heat there are concerns in the T&T camp as it related to the participation of T&T in the 4x100 metres women's event.

However, team manager Dexter Voisin confirmed to Guardian Media Sports that Hackett is not in any danger and she should be ready to compete when called upon.

After her calm performance to qualify for the 400 metres hurdles semi-finals, Sparkle Mcknight finished in eight position, and said: "That this might be her last race, given all that has happen. I'm not happy with my race today, my coach told me not to relax and I did not, but it was just not to be."

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