Athletes stricken by runs at Southeast Asian Games

Up to half of 11 national sport delegations at the ongoing Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia suffered from diarrhea.

Four days after the games opened, more cases of diarrhea were reported at the athlete village. It seems that the diarrhea epidemic is expanding at the athlete village’s dining-room.

Singapore reported 22 athletes with diarrhea, half of them are swimmers who took meals at the athlete village’s kitchen. Four athletes who stay in a hotel outsider the village also suffer from diarrhea.

Singaporean shooter Jasmine Ser said she could not defend her championship because of diarrhea. “I’m very disappointed because we have only several cuisines a day. But even though they could not ensure food hygiene. The Spaghetti I took had strong taste. Anyway, it is not the excuse for my failure,” she said.

Thailand, meanwhile, has over 10 swimmers who had to visit toilets very often. Even coach Ren Chunsheng is not an exception. “Some of my swimmers got in and out the toilet from 3am,” the coach said.

A female swimmer lost over 13 seconds compared to her best record in women’s 200m free-style event.

Malaysia announced to have 10 gymnasts and shooters with diarrhea. Shooter Muhammad Ezuan, 22, said he ranked 13th for men’s 10m air-rifle event because of diarrhea. “Everything that I took went out. I had no strength to hold my rifle and I could not shoot well. It’s ashamed” he said.

Aryaduta, the only five-star hotel in Palembang, is the provider of food for the athlete village. However, many athletes complained about the food quality.