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SEA Games: S'pore, M'sia cyclists hit by food poisoning

SEA Games organisers launched an investigation into a suspected outbreak of food poisoning on Thursday (June 11) after several athletes at the cycling competition were struck down by illness.

Singapore’s Dinah Chan was among those affected – she lost her women’s individual time-trial crown and had to settle for the bronze.

At the 2013 edition in Myanmar, the 29-year-old was forced to pull out of the women’s 100km/128km individual road race, also due to food poisoning.

Singapore’s Darren Low, who finished 9th out of 16 cyclists in the men’s individual time trial, said: "The effects of the food poisoning came in. I couldn’t concentrate. That (performance) was the best that I could do."

Malaysian cyclist Muhammad Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi, who finished 11th in the men’s individual time trial, said: "Two other riders, including my room-mate, are down too. I think it was the chicken and the curry egg at dinner. I felt sick at around 1am last night."

'A bout of loose stools'

The Singapore SEA Games Organising Committee said in a statement that it has received "a report of an incident involving a bout of loose stools that has affected a few athletes early this morning".

It added: "We are investigating the matter with the relevant authorities and reinforcing hygiene practices."

Team Singapore’s chief medical officer, Dr Teoh Chin Sim, said: "The cycling team are in a good condition now after a bout of loose stools that affected a few of them in the early hours of June 11.

"They have been advised to keep their bodies hydrated and our sport dietician is helping them in meal planning."

Who got the gold?

The cyclists are staying at the Resorts World Sentosa for the duration of the Games. 

The hotel also houses the athletes from bowling and golf, none of whom have made reports of illness.

The women’s time trial event was won by the Philippines’ Marella Vania Salamat, with Thailand’s Chanpeng Nontasin taking the bronze. 

In the men’s race, Indonesia’s Robin Manullang took gold, Thailand’s T. Boonratanathanakorn the silver and Vietnam’s Duc Tam Trinh the bronze.

Source: The Straits Times, AFP

SEA GamescyclingFood HygienebowlingGolfResorts World Sentosa