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| Isaac Makwala was excluded from the 400m final.
Botswana star Isaac Makwala was barred from running in the men's 400
metres world final because he was suffering from an infectious disease,
athletics' governing body confirmed.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) issued a
statement after the Botswana team claimed the 30-year-old Makwala was fit and
healthy and should not have been turned away from the warm-up track ahead of
the final.
However, the IAAF insisted that he needed to be placed in quarantine for
48 hours as he was infected with the highly contagious norovirus.
Public Health England revealed that 30 athletes and support staff had
been affected with two cases confirmed as being the norovirus bug at a hotel
hosting athletes.
"Isaac Makwala has been withdrawn by the IAAF Medical Delegate from
tonight's 400m final after the athlete was diagnosed with an infectious disease
on Monday," read the IAAF statement.
"As per UK health regulations, it was requested that he be
quarantined in his room for 48 hours, a period which ends at 14:00hrs.
"These procedures are recommended by Public Health England."
The IAAF said that contrary to what had been claimed by the Botswana
team, it had made it clear that under no circumstances could Makwala take part.
"It was clearly explained to the teams in writing on Sunday and in
person to the Botswanan delegation, a member of which was present with many
other representatives of teams at a meeting that took place at the Guoman Tower
Hotel on Sunday.
"The decision to withdraw him from the 200m heats last night and
the 400m final today was made on the basis of a medical examination conducted
in the warm-up medical centre by a qualified doctor and recorded in the
electronic medical record system of the championships.
"A copy of this medical record was given to a member of the
Botswana team medical staff following the examination."
Makwala had insisted he was ready to run the 400m before the IAAF
stepped in. He was then caught on camera being turned away from the warm-up
track.
That sparked an angry reaction from the team.
"Isaac has been denied entry to the stadium and has been taken back
to the hotel where the team stays," Botswana national sports commission
chief executive Falcon Sedimo said.
"We don't have any official communication from the IAAF pointing to
the reasons that have led to Makwala being debarred from competing in the 400
metres final for men.
"I met Makwala this morning before 11am and I also met him again
this afternoon at around 1500 hours and the indications were that he was ready
and raring to go."
Norovirus is often caught through close contact with someone carrying
the virus or by touching contaminated surfaces or objects.
Norovirus, which brings on diarrhoea and vomiting, is rarely serious,
with most people making a full recovery within one or two days, without
treatment.
- 'It is highly infectious' -
However, Shirley Kirnon, Senior Lecturer in Infection Prevention and
Control at the School of Health Sciences at Birmingham City University warned
that organisers faced a race against time to prevent it spreading like
wildfire.
"The main issue facing the organisers will be one of trying to
attain swift containment, which will be pretty challenging due to the nature of
the virus," she said.
"It is highly infectious and with vast numbers of people athletes,
site personnel and visitors in such close proximity, exposure to affected
individuals cannot be contained easily."
Kirnon added that it was crucial those affected were kept away from
presently healthy individuals.
"In terms of public health, the emphasis should be to limit the
exposure to others," she said.
"This involves limiting social integration and movements of
affected individuals.
"For athletes staying in the rooms whilst
having active symptoms or remaining within the designated camp, and for visitors
with symptoms it means staying away from public areas."
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