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Belgian Becomes First Sailor To Fall Ill During Olympics After Sailing Rio's Polluted Waters

RIO DE JANEIRO (CBSNewYork/AP) -- It was bound to happen and it finally did during the Rio Games.

Belgium's Evi Van Acker became the first sailor to fall ill during the games after sailing the polluted Guanabara Bay, which has been the subject of great scrutiny in recent months.

Denmark's Allan Norregaard called Van Acker's illness "a shame," then said the randomness of the wind on some of the courses inside the bay doesn't make them suitable for the games. He added that it's been a waste of the sailors' time and is "scandalous."

He sails in the Nacra 17 class with Anette Viborg. They are 11th after six races.

Earlier this week, Denmark's Jonas Hogh-Christensen called the chaotic conditions on an inside course "a mockery of sport."

An independent study by The Associated Press showed high levels of viruses and sometimes bacteria from human sewage in the waters where hundreds of sailors will compete in the Olympics.

Rio state officials have acknowledged a real cleanup of Guanabara will take 20 years — organizers promised to do it for the Olympics — with thecity still pouring at least half of its untreated sewage into its surrounding waters, including Guanabara.

The massive bay is about 20 miles long and almost as wide in places.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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