Major Boat Race tradition set to be axed and consigned to history after health warning
THE BOAT RACE winning Cox will not be thrown into the River Thames this year because E. coli was found in the water.
The historic competition pitting Oxford and Cambridge University against each other will still go ahead on Saturday.
But competitors have been warned about the dangers of coming into contact with the water.
Crews have been advised to wear footwear and to cover up cuts and blisters, and told not to swallow water that might splash up around their mouths.
Rowers are also forbidden from jumping into the Thames at the end of the race as winning Cambridge men’s cox Jasper Parish did last year.
It has been tradition for the victor to throw their Cox into the river in the Boat Race’s 195-year history.
But this year it will not be safe to perform the tradition because E. coli bacteria was found in 16 tests conducted around Hammersmith Bridge, which is just short of halfway along the 4.25-mile course.
River Action campaign group found an average of 2,869 E coli colony forming units (CFU) per 100ml of water – the safe level should be below 1,000 per 100ml.
Consuming E.coli can lead to urinary tract infection, cystitis, intestinal infection and vomiting, with the worst cases leading to life-threatening blood poisoning.
The Boat Race acknowledges the problem and has advised rowers to clean all equipment, while crews will be encouraged to wash themselves down at a dedicated cleansing station at the finish.
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The Boat Race said in a statement: “Water quality is an ongoing concern for the Boat Race.
“We have put in place a series of precautionary measures this year to protect the health of our athletes, which includes guidance regarding the covering up of open wounds, regular handwashing, a cleansing station at the finish area and highlighting the risks of entering the water.
“We will also be taking on board British Rowing’s recent Poor Water Quality Guidance, issued in partnership with River Action, as we look forward to the Gemini Boat Race 2024.”