More athletes sick with stomach upsets
More athletes sick with stomach upsets
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian team at the 18th Southeast Asian Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, has decided to set up a temporary canteen for its athletes at the athlete village yesterday due to the stomach upsets suffered by some of the athletes.
Dr. Carmen Jahya Shiran Yunti, a member of the medical team, told Antara in Chiang Mai yesterday that 20 athletes in the fencing, track and field, pencak silat, soccer and judo teams have suffered diarrhea because they could not alter the food served by the organizing committee.
"This morning I examined three more athletes suffering diarrhea," he said.
The Indonesian chef de mission Arie Soedewo said the illness will not influence the athletes' performance at the Games.
"The condition of the sick athletes is not very serious. They'll recover soon and be able to join the training program," Carmen said.
Carmen said the medical team has treated the athletes by giving them vitamins and specially providing additional liquids.
Stamina
The diarrhea was not only disturbing the athletes' concentration but would also hit their stamina, he said.
According to Carmen, the food provided by the committee was believed to be a possible cause for the illness because the organizing committee has to prepare meals for thousands of people from 10 countries.
"It's very hard to serve food to thousands of athletes, especially the cooking, cleaning and composition," he said.
Arie said that the athletes need more time to adapt, not only to the climate, but also to Thai food, which is very spicy and rich.
"These meals are fine for athletes from Sumatra and Sulawesi but not for those coming from Java, Bali and other islands," Arie said.
Indonesia has reported the case to the committee and asked them to pay more attention to the menu, he added.
The medical team has decided to supervise the foods for the athletes as a result of a briefing between the medical team and the mission chief.
"Besides setting up a canteen we'll also serve preserved food for the contingent," Carmen said.
Muhammad Sarengat, secretary of the Indonesian contingent, said that the illness hit only some individuals.
"Other athletes who consumed the same meals are not suffering the illness," he said. (05)