By Tom Degun

e._coli_13-06-11June 14 - The International Rowing Federation (FISA) has expressed its disappointment at GB Rowing's decision to withdraw from the Samsung World Cup regatta in Germany over E. coli fears.


The event will take place at the newly renovated International Regatta Course in Allermoehe near Hamburg on June 17-19, but GB Rowing announced last week that it has pulled the entire team from the second event of the World Cup series due to the outbreak.

The World Health Organisation has reported an updated global total of 3,255 cases of E. Coli and 35 fatalities following the outbreak, with much of these being in Germany, and GB Rowing performance director David Tanner took the decision after "a risk-based assessment" undertaken by the team's medical staff.

This came despite the Foreign Office and Health Protection Agency not advising the Britons against travelling to Germany and warning them only to avoid eating raw tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce.

FISA has conducted its own risk analysis in conjunction with the local Hamburg Government and concluded there 'is no particular risk' for the athletes.

"FISA have made an assessment of the situation and are confident the regatta can go ahead," said FISA official Marion Gallimore Rongere.

"No other country has indicated they will withdraw.

"New Zealand are on their way and Germany have confirmed they will compete.

"It is disappointing that a big team like Great Britain is not coming.

"If this was the right decision for them then we respect that.

"We have not had any more information from GB Rowing.

"We still have 36 other countries so on our side it still goes ahead as planned."

Britain won 11 medals, including five golds, at the Munich World Cup regatta last month but missing Hamburg will effectively cost them any chance of winning the overall title as Germany are only 20 points behind and have vowed to send a strong team to Hamburg.

The third and final World Cup regatta is scheduled for Lucerne between July 8-11, with the World Championships starting in Bled, Slovenia, at the end of August.

The knock-on effect of missing Hamburg could be that more of the GB team compete at Henley, which starts on June 29, than would otherwise have been case.

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June 2011: British rowers withdraw from World Cup over E-coli fears