Understand
Carmarthen triathlete falls seriously ill with Campylobacter after open-water swimming
Overview
Andrew Jones, a triathlete from Carmarthen, was hospitalised with a Campylobacter bacterial infection after swimming in polluted open water ahead of competing in the Ironman World Championship. In response to such water quality risks, Triathlon Cymru is running the Safer Blue Spaces project, utilising small wearable sampling devices attached to competitors' wetsuits to accurately monitor water conditions and detect pathogens during events in Wales.
Key points
- Carmarthen triathlete Andrew Jones was hospitalised after contracting a Campylobacter infection from swimming in open water.
- The illness forced Jones into hospital just over a week before competing in the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii.
- Triathlon Cymru has launched the Safer Blue Spaces project to monitor water quality more effectively during events across Wales.
- The project uses small passive sampling devices attached to competitors' wetsuits to track water quality along their exact swimming routes.
- Data collected from the devices is analysed by Bangor University to detect pathogens and share findings with environmental agencies and water companies.