SINGAPORE — National cyclist Darren Low had just completed the men’s individual time trial (ITT) race at the 28th SEA Games today (June 11) when he suddenly started retching as he prepared for the post-race interviews.

It turned out he was suffering the after-effects of a stomach upset from the previous night. At least four other members of the Singapore cycling contingent, including Dinah Chan and Noel Teh, and three riders from Malaysia were also struck down in what appeared to be a case of food poisoning.

The affected Singaporean cyclists, who along with the bowlers and golfers, are staying at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) during the Games. They were treated at the Games Medical Centre yesterday. At press time today, all were declared fit to compete and there have been no withdrawals from the coming races. There were also no further reported cases.

In a statement released by the Singapore National Olympic Council today, Team Singapore’s chief medical officer Dr Teoh Chin Sim said: “The cycling team is in a good condition now after a bout of loose stools that affected a few of them in the early hours of 11th June. They have been advised to keep their bodies rehydrated and our sport dietitian is helping them in meal planning.”

The Singapore SEA Games Organising Committee (SINGSOC) also said it is “investigating the matter with the relevant authorities and reinforcing hygiene practices”, while an RWS spokesperson added they are “assisting SINGSOC and the relevant authorities in their investigations”.

Although Chan failed to retain her title in the women’s ITT, she secured the bronze in 47mins 44.91secs. Marella Salamat of the Philippines won in 44:46.38, with Thailand’s Chanpeng Nontasin (45:32.34) taking the silver. Low (57:06.65) finished ninth in the men’s ITT, while Malaysia’s Muhammad Fauzan — one of the athletes affected by food poisoning — was 11th. Indonesia’s Robin Manullang (53:55.41), Thailand’s Thurakit Boonratanathanakorn (54:47.57) and Vietnam’s Trinh Duc Tam (55:39.20) won the gold, silver and bronze medal respectively.

Said Low: “It was hard for me to concentrate during the race, so I had to ride within my own limits. That was the best I could do given the circumstances. But this is not an excuse (for my performance) because everyone has their own problems.”

Fauzan added: “I’m not sure what caused my stomach upset, but it could have been the chicken and curry egg at dinner (yesterday).”