An International Olympic Committee member no longer believes that ice cream caused members of the U.S. junior rowing team to fall ill while they were competing in a prep event for next summer's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Anita DeFrantz, an IOC member since 1986 and bronze medalist in rowing at the 1976 Olympic Games, sent an apology via text message that was read on ESPN's Mike & Mike on Monday.

"I apologize for giving incorrect information," DeFrantz wrote. "I found that the correct answer for why members of the US Junior Rowing Team fell ill in Rio is still unknown. They simply have not been able to define the cause."

Thirteen rowers on the 40-member U.S. team came down with a stomach illness in August during the World Rowing Junior Championships. DeFrantz told Mike & Mike on Thursday that ice cream -- particularly differences in ingredients and sanitation of food internationally -- led the rowers to get sick.

The event was held amid rising concerns about the water quality at venues for the Rio Olympics, now less than a year away.

On July 30, The Associated Press published an independent analysis of water quality that showed high levels of viruses and, in some cases, bacteria from human sewage in all of Rio's Olympic and Paralympic water venues, including the Rodrigo de Freitas Lake, where the rowing competition took place.

USRowing CEO Glenn Merry said that after rigorous follow-up with the junior team, his medical and coaching staff has been unable to pinpoint "what the differentials were. ... It's very difficult to say that it was the lake or not the lake."

Merry said he doubts any alternative venues will be considered, and his organization is focused on how best to inform and protect athletes who make the Olympic team.

Information from ESPN's Bonnie D. Ford and The Associated Press contributed to this report.