The UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda begin on Sunday, and as riders and teams from around the world head to the African country, a range of measures have been put in place for competitors to ensure they stay healthy during the week-long event.
The first World Cup in Africa will bring its own challenges, aptly described by Belgian team doctor Kris Van der Mieren, who said: "We started preparing for these a year ago."
Van der Mieren outlined several steps the Belgian team will take in Rwanda to aim for new titles with Remco Evenepoel. "The vaccination is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended. There was practically no discussion, everyone did it," said Van der Mieren.
Team members have received several vaccinations, including against hepatitis A, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and typhoid.
Evenepoel was vaccinated last winter to prevent any potential side effects that could disrupt her racing schedule. She and her teammates – as well as team staff – take anti-malarial tablets every night and continue taking them for a week after the races are over.
"Most tropical diseases are spread by mosquitoes. Prevention is key," Van der Mieren said. "That means spraying and using sunscreen 24/7. I recommend everyone wear light-colored clothing - it repels mosquitoes more than dark clothing."
However, precautions are not limited to vaccines and pills. Additional measures are also being taken to prevent the possible spread of diseases – such as prohibiting handshakes and carrying twice the usual amount of disinfectant.
The team also avoids using local tap water. They have enough bottled water, and they also use boiled water extensively – for cooking, washing vegetables, and even making ice.
"The quality of the water is not guaranteed. So we don't take any risks. It's fine for washing, but for everything else we use bottled water or boil water," said Van der Mieren. "One of our team members, Andy Heindryckx, runs his own catering business from home and is obsessed with hygiene. A fridge left open too long, a buffet at the wrong temperature, vegetables or fruit not washed properly - Andy keeps an eye on everything."
Van der Mieren's biggest fear is rabies, even though the likelihood of anyone contracting the deadly virus next week seems minimal.
"That's my biggest fear. My only real fear, actually," he said. "The chances of someone being bitten by a rabid dog are slim, but if it happens and the bite is serious, emergency protocols are immediately activated. Then there is immediate repatriation. An untreated infection is always fatal, but if it is detected quickly and treated intensively with the right medications and wound care, it doesn't have to be fatal. But that's the job of the professionals."
