The race should not be in jeopardy, but all participants were advised not to enter the water and immediately use a special cleaning station after reaching the finish line. Due to water pollution, the traditional ritual in which the winning crew throws its helmsman into the water is also likely to be cancelled.
“It’s a national disgrace, isn’t it?” said Oxford coach Sean Bowden. “And it would be great if our race brought more attention to the problem. We will be happy to help, and it is clear to us that it is our task and responsibility,” he added.
Photo: Andrew Boyers, Reuters
Training for the traditional eight-row race on the Thames
Most types of E. coli bacteria are not life-threatening, but some types can cause health problems and, in extreme cases, even life-threatening blood poisoning. “If there’s a problem here, we’re not going to take any chances and we’re not going to throw anyone into the water,” said British representative Harry Glennister from Oxford.
The university eight rowing race has been run since 1829. Cambridge rowers have won four of the last five years and have an overall lead of 86:81 over their rivals from Oxford. Saturday’s program on the 6.8 km course will start with the women’s race, the men will start at 16:46.
Tags: national disgrace dirty bacteriainfested Thames complicates famous race
