Youth Olympics: Coleman skips 100m breaststroke, prioritizes health amid village heat

DAKAR, Senegal — Riannah Chantelle Coleman experienced difficulty in breathing and had to withdraw from the women’s100 meters breaststroke heats on Tuesday—the second of her three events in the 4th Youth Olympic Games (YOG). “It was decided that Riannah would be better off resting for at least two days rather than take the risk in the 100,” said Team Philippines swimming coach Ramil Ilustre. “She’ll have two days to recover for her last event.” Coleman hyperventilated after the 200m breaststroke heats on Monday and had to be attended to by the YOG Medical Team and was eventually given the green light for the final on the same day, finishing seventh among eight swimmers at the Dakar Olympic Pool. “It’s the heat,” said Coleman, whose last event will be the 50 meters breaststroke on Friday. Three other swimmers were treated for hyperventilation on Monday. The is no air-conditioning in all the rooms at the Youth Olympic Village (YOV) and athletes have been assigned one electric fan each to battle the heat and humidity. “Riannah’s really bothered by the heat, in fact she’s requested to have four electric fans to be directed on her bed,” said Chef de Mission Rocky Samson. “It’s the same condition for everyone in...