Tag Archives: Thomas Barr

Tower Guoman Hotel in London where Irish athlete Thomas Barr was staying during the IAAF World Championships

The Guardian reports:

The world athletics championships being held in London has been hit by an outbreak of norovirus, health officials have confirmed.

Public Health England (PHE) said it had been notified of about 30 cases of people associated with the event, London 2017, falling ill; two of those have been confirmed by laboratory tests as having the vomiting bug.

The Tower hotel told the BBC that investigations in conjunction with health officers and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) concluded the hotel was not the source of the illness.

“We have followed strict hygiene protocol, ensuring that those affected are not in contact with other guests and all public areas have been thoroughly sanitised,” the hotel said.

Botswana’s Isaac Makwala, a medal prospect in the 400m on Tuesday, was given medical dispensation to withdraw from the 200m heats after throwing up in the medical room.

Makwala would normally be scratched from the final after pulling out of another event. As he missed the heats on medical advice, however, he would be able to run, if fit.

A number of other athletes staying at the same hotel also have gastroenteritis, including the Ireland 400m hurdler Thomas Barr.

“I’m gutted to have to withdraw from the semi-final. My whole year has been focused on the world championships. To not be able to go out and compete for Ireland is beyond disappointing.”

Meanwhile, David Gillick, on RTE, reports:

The Irish race walkers are due to arrive on Thursday and plans are already in motion to try find alternative accommodation for them.

The reaction from the organisers has been swift and professional, though you do have to wonder what the response would be if this happened in Rio last year, where it seemed British media outlets were keen to jump on every little organisational imperfection.

Will they do the same when dozens of athletes’ championships have been ruined on their own turf?

London 2017: 30 people fall ill after norovirus outbreak at athletics event (The Guardian)

Barr forced to withdraw due to illness (Athletics Ireland)

World Championships health issues hard to stomach (David Gillick, RTE)

Top pic: Jason Rosam

Screen Shot 2015-07-10 at 13.28.17

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4_l1rHpmiY

This morning.

Thomas Barr won the 400m hurdles at the World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea 48.78.

The 22-year-old, of Ferrybank AC in Co. Waterford, is the first Irish athlete to win the World University Games since both Sonia O’Sullivan and Niall Bruton both won gold in 1991.

Thomas Barr wins 400 metres hurdle at World University Games (Irish Times)

Thomas Barr