Commonwealth Games swimmers get ‘Delhi belly’

Commonwealth Games organisers have launched an investigation into the water quality at the aquatic centre after more than 20 swimmers fell ill, and England's Fran Halsall had to be helped, vomiting, from the venue after finishing 10th in the 100m butterfly semi-finals.

Around 10 English competitors and 12 Australians have complained of feeling unwell after competing at the S.P.Mukherjee Aquatics complex, with team officials citing the water in the warm-up pool was to blame.

Commonwealth Games chief, Mike Fennell, said: "Water and food quality is tested. We are concerned if athletes can't perform to their best."

One theory is that droppings from a flock of pigeons that have made the centre their home may have contaminated the water.

The two most high profile victims in the England team have been Rebecca Adlington and Halsall, who have both admitted they are struggling with stomach problems.

Halsall, one of the favourites for the 100m freestyle gold, looked out of sorts as she could only manage bronze in the event before coming in 10th in the butterfly semis and being pulled from the pool by the England team doctor.

"I don't think I'm very well to be honest. I came down with a bit of a tummy bug and pretty much couldn't stand after my final. I need to go before I am sick on you," she said, cutting short a post-race interview with BBC Sport.

And on Thursday morning she revealed: "I have hardly eaten anything just so I don't have to go to the toilets as they are all blocked."

World record holder and Olympic champion Adlington is still favourite to win the 800m freestyle, despite her stomach troubles.

But two Australian medal prospects, Andrew Lauterstein and Hayden Stoeckel, failed to start in the 100m butterfly and 100m backstroke heats because of "gastro problems", according to their team spokesman.

A Commonwealth Games England statement read: "Over the past 28 days eight per cent of our team have had some kind of mild stomach conditions. We have asked for reassurances as to the water quality at the aquatics venue." ·