(Adds comment from Rio Olympic Organizing Committee) By Jeb Blount RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 11 (Reuters) – Doctors for the Belgian Olympic medical team suspect polluted water in Rio’s Guanabara Bay is responsible for a serious illness that sapped the strength of Evi Van Acker, Laser Radial 2012 bronze medallist, her coach told Reuters. Van Acker, who sits 10th overall after six of 10 preliminary races, was stricken with a severe gastro-intestinal illness during training in July and despite a course of antibiotics her strength and stamina remain compromised, said Wim Van Bladel, her coach, in a phone interview in Rio. Olympic organizers have faced harsh criticism for choosing Guanabara Bay as the sailing venue and for failing to meet promises to clean up sewage that contaminates the bay with bacteria and viruses and floating trash that threatens to slow or damage boats.
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Olympics-Sailing-Belgians suspect dirty water for Laser sailor illness
