At least five Olympic athletes have fallen ill after competing in the Seine River. When planning the 2024 Olympic Games, the marquee venue for Paris was intended to be the Seine River. However, the Seine is famous for its unhealthy water quality. Despite officials in Paris’s best attempts at returning the river to a safe state for swimming, they appear to have missed the mark.
Events like marathon swimming and the Olympic triathlon were both slated to take place in the Seine River. In preparation for these events, the city of Paris spent $1.4 billion on cleaning the river and installing an underground water basin. However, all of the preparation was foiled when it poured rain on the night of the opening ceremonies. According to ESPN.com, Paris received a month’s worth of rain in 36 hours. The unprecedented precipitation overwhelmed the river’s filtration system.
After testing water quality for days and canceling all of the in-water practices for both events, officials allowed marathon swimming and the triathlon to compete in the Seine River.
At least five athletes have been reported to suffer from acute stomach distress, vomiting and diarrhea after competing in the Seine. There has been no officially confirmed link between the illness and the water condition, however, athletes and their federations were quick to make statements pointing the finger at water quality.
The German Olympic Sports Confederation said three of it’s athletes became ill in a statement, “Two female German open water swimmers were treated as outpatients (Friday) for nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. They have been feeling much better since this morning. Another swimmer with similar symptoms is currently being treated by the German team doctors.”
For the triathletes, “One triathlon athlete vomited incessantly after competing. Another was later reported to have an E. coli infection” However, neither of these athletes have been identified in the wake of the competition.
As athletes and organizers look forward to the open water events in L.A 2028, all eyes will be on Alamitos Beach where marathon swimming and the triathlon will take place. There have been similar water quality concerns at the past several Olympic games. The safety of the open water swimmers hangs in limbo while host cities navigate water purification processes.
