At least 40 people fell sick on Monday from food poisoning in the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin just as it staged the Winter University Games, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
A 60-year-old man was in serious condition and dozens of others were suffering from nausea and vomiting after eating in the food court of a shopping center in the city's downtown area, it said.
The report warned that the number of victims could rise.
The victims had dined on spicy Chinese "hotpot" at a food stall that has since been closed by authorities, who were investigating the incident, it said.
The freezing cold city is currently hosting the 24th Winter University Games, with thousands of athletes from 45 countries and regions competing in 82 events across 12 sports.
The report made no mention of whether any Games visitors were affected.
