Oxford University Boat Club Members Suffer Stomach Bug Before Boat Race Defeat

Oxford University Boat Club faced a setback in their recent Boat Race against Cambridge as three members of their men’s team were struck down by a stomach bug. Despite their best efforts, the team could not pinpoint the exact cause of the illness.

Lenny Jenkins, the Oxford men’s seven seat, revealed that some of his teammates had been affected by an E coli strain, which he humorously described as “too much poo in the water.” However, the club’s official statement did not confirm E coli as the culprit, stating that the origin of the bug could not be definitively determined.

The news of the illness among the Oxford team raised concerns about the water quality on the River Thames course, with pre-race testing showing dangerously high levels of E coli. Organizers of the Boat Race reached out to Oxford for more information on the sickness bug, but the athletes were advised against testing for E coli initially.

James Wallace, the chief executive of River Action, pointed fingers at Thames Water for the pollution in the river, emphasizing that E coli at such high levels could only come from sewage discharge. Thames Water attributed the contamination to high rainfall, but the government is now facing pressure to address the issue, with talks of renationalizing the company.

Despite the challenges faced by the Oxford team, Cambridge emerged victorious in both the men’s and women’s events. The Cambridge men’s coach, Rob Baker, expressed concerns about the cleanliness of the waterways, highlighting the need for safer conditions for athletes. The incident has sparked a debate on water pollution and the responsibility of authorities to ensure the well-being of athletes participating in water sports.