Olympic open water swimmers were given the green light to train in the Seine River on August 7, 2024, marking a significant moment in the run-up to the 10-kilometer marathon events scheduled for August 8 and 9. This decision comes after a series of cancellations and health-related incidents that had cast doubt on the viability of using the Seine for Olympic events.While some athletes, including 2016 Olympic champion Sharon van Rouwendaal, took the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the course, others remained cautious. The Italian national team, for instance, opted to continue their training in an Olympic pool to avoid any risk of contamination. Austrian swimmer Felix Auboeck expressed the sentiment shared by many athletes, stating, ‘I think if anyone’s saying they’re not concerned at all, they’re probably lying’.The decision to allow training in the Seine has been met with mixed reactions. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo expressed confidence in the water quality, citing recent weather improvements. However, reports of athletes falling ill after competing in the Seine last week have fueled ongoing concerns. Belgian triathlete Claire Michel clarified that she had contracted a virus, not E. coli as initially speculated, after participating in an event in the Seine.Adding to the challenges, swimmers will face strong currents measured at 2-3 mph, which some coaches have described as potentially dangerous. German swimming team coach Bernd Berkhahn warned that these conditions could lead to collisions during the feeding process.As the situation continues to evolve, Olympic organizers maintain that they have a backup plan to move the events to the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium if the Seine is deemed unsafe. The controversy surrounding the use of the Seine for Olympic events underscores the ongoing challenges of balancing environmental concerns with the demands of hosting a major international sporting event.
Key points
- Olympic swimmers have been allowed to train in the Seine River after previous cancellations.
- Some athletes and teams, including Italy, have opted out of Seine training due to health concerns.
- Strong currents in the Seine pose additional challenges for swimmers.
- Paris officials maintain the water is safe, but conflicting reports about athlete illnesses persist.
Contradictions👾While Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo claims no athletes have fallen ill from swimming in the Seine, multiple reports indicate that several athletes have experienced health issues after competing in the river.
👾There are conflicting statements about the water quality, with some officials declaring it safe while athletes and coaches express ongoing concerns.
