The 2024 Paris Olympics have delivered thrilling moments but not without controversy, particularly regarding the polluted Seine River. The health of athletes and the safety of outdoor swimming events have been major concerns throughout the Games.
In the run-up to the Olympics, officials kept a close watch on the safety of the Seine River. On Tuesday, the 10K swimming event of the Olympic triathlon was canceled due to “water quality concerns.” This decision followed Belgium’s withdrawal from the mixed relay triathlon, announced two days earlier. One of the Belgian competitors, Claire Michel, who had participated in the women’s triathlon the previous Wednesday, fell ill. However, the cause of her illness has not been disclosed by Olympic organizers.. Despite previous assurances that water quality tests on race day showed “very good” bacteria levels, concerns persisted.
The Belgian Olympic committee has expressed hopes that lessons will be learned for future events, emphasizing the need for clarity on training days, competition formats, and ensuring no uncertainty for athletes and supporters.
Efforts to Clean the Seine
In preparation for the Games, France allocated approximately 1.4 billion euros to clean the Seine. This investment included constructing a massive underground water storage basin next to the Austerlitz train station, designed to hold the equivalent of 20 Olympic swimming pools of rainwater and waste.Despite these efforts, daily water quality tests in June 2024 revealed unsafe levels of E. coli bacteria.
On July 2, a rehearsal for the opening ceremony was canceled due to dangerously high levels of fecal bacteria, exacerbated by recent heavy rainfall that caused the Seine to flow at four to five times its normal level. Officials hoped conditions would improve as the Games approached.
High-Profile Swims and Cancellations
French sports minister Amelie Oudéa-Castéra and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo both swam in the Seine in July, with Hidalgo doing so just days before the Olympics began. However, water tests conducted on the day of the opening ceremony, July 26, indicated that the Seine’s water quality was not safe for swimming, despite the ceremony proceeding with boats on the river.
On July 28, the pre-race triathlon swimming was canceled due to poor water quality, although organizers remained hopeful that the main triathlon events would proceed as planned.
Health Concerns and Latest Developments
On August 4, a review of water tests by World Triathlon, the International Olympic Committee, and Olympic organizers showed some improvement in water quality. According to World Triathlon guidelines, E. coli levels up to 1,000 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters are deemed acceptable for events. Decisions about race conditions are typically made on the event day based on water quality, sanitary inspections, and weather forecasts.
However, health issues among athletes have persisted. Belgium’s withdrawal from the mixed relay triathlon followed Claire Michel’s illness after the women’s triathlon. Swiss triathletes Adrien Briffod and Simon Westermann both experienced gastrointestinal infections, with uncertainty about the cause. Norwegian triathlete Vetle Bergsvik Thorn also fell ill with stomach pain and vomiting the day after his race, though he recovered later.
As the Paris Olympics continue, the quality of the Seine River remains a significant concern, impacting athletes’ health and the integrity of the competitions.
