Portuguese triathlon star Vasco Vilaca says he has been suffering from “a pretty bad stomach flu” after competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Vilaca completed a stellar Olympic cycle of short-course racing when he finished fifth in the men’s individual race behind Alex Yee last Wednesday. And on Monday he helped Portugal again to an excellent fifth, this time in the Mixed Team Relay.

But on Thursday afternoon he revealed that he had not left the French capital in the best of physical condition.

Vasco Vilaca on illness

Writing in a post on his Instagram account, Vilaca revealed: “Unfortunately since Tuesday evening I’ve developed symptoms consistent with a pretty bad stomach flu. Vomiting, diarrhea, headache and stomach aches is not the way I wanted to leave Paris.

“Luckily I am getting all the help I need from my NOC doctors and staff for a fast recovery. The symptoms will go away but the 3 olympic diplomas earned and team portugal will live forever! Leaving Paris happy and proud to be part of this team 🇵🇹”

Vilaca not the first

Vilaca is not the first athlete to fall ill either during or since the Games – New Zealand pair Hayden Wilde and Ainsley Thorpe were both laid low by what the team called bacterial infections following the individual races. Thorpe’s sickness was so severe that it almost ruled her out of Monday’s Mixed Relay.

Belgium meanwhile were forced to pull out of the Mixed Relay due to an illness for Claire Michel, who said: “Blood tests showed that I contracted a virus (not E. Coli). After three days of vomiting and diarrhoea, which left me quite empty, I ended up needing more significant medical attention and spent the Sunday at the clinic.”

Michel is now recovering at home in Belgium.