Olympic Open Water Swimmers Train in the Seine River Amid Water Quality Concerns

Olympic Open Water Swimmers Train in Seine River

On a cool, overcast Wednesday morning, Olympic open water swimmers took to the long-polluted Seine River for a training session after Paris organizers deemed the water safe for diving. This two-hour practice was a crucial opportunity for athletes to familiarize themselves with the scenic course winding through the heart of the French capital.

This training follows the cancellation of a similar event scheduled for the previous day due to concerns regarding water quality. Athletes, including the 2016 Olympic champion Sharon van Rouwendaal and Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen, who is competing in open water for the first time, eagerly dove into the Seine just a day ahead of the women’s 10 km marathon event, with the men’s race set for Friday.

Before entering the water, many swimmers observed the conditions from the iconic Pont Alexandre III, adorned with golden statues and offering a view of the starting buoy and finishing area. Austrian swimmer Felix Auböck expressed his concerns, stating, “I think if anyone’s saying they’re not concerned at all, they’re probably lying. I am concerned. I just hope and trust the organization in the sense that they let us in when it’s safe enough to do so. But, of course, you’re concerned because no one wants to get ill or sick.”

Despite these worries, Auböck acknowledged the unique allure of swimming in the Seine, surrounded by Paris’s stunning landscape, including the Eiffel Tower and the gold-domed Invalides. He commented, “It is super exciting that this is scenery where we are racing. That’s probably the best thing we can do for the sport.”

Pollution and Water Quality Concerns

World Aquatics had to cancel a test run on Tuesday due to fluctuating bacteria levels in the waterway. Although extensive efforts have been made to clean the Seine, water quality remains a persistent issue throughout the Games. Nonetheless, officials are optimistic that the upcoming races will proceed without complications, especially with favorable weather forecasts predicting sunny skies and minimal chances of rain.

Open water swimmers typically train in controlled pool environments; thus, the concerns regarding bacteria levels in the Seine led some athletes to opt out of the training session, choosing to limit their exposure to just the event itself. However, a majority took advantage of the training opportunity, particularly to assess the strong current that has raised additional concerns.

• The current has been recorded at a speed of 2-3 mph (approximately 3.2-4.8 km/h), presenting a significant challenge, especially when swimming upstream on the six-lap course.
• Auböck remarked, “The current is just going to be another challenge. It’s going to be very, very different from what we have seen before. I wish there would have been more practice races with a current like this. That would have been beneficial.”

While triathlon events have already taken place in the river, the schedule was disrupted by daily water quality readings. Open water events are now set to proceed, with a contingency plan in place to relocate the races to Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium if the Seine is deemed unsafe. The triathlon mixed relay event was conducted on Monday, and World Triathlon reported on Tuesday that levels of fecal bacteria E. coli and enterococci were within acceptable limits for the triathlon relay course.

The marathon swims will cover longer stretches of the river, starting and finishing at the Pont Alexandre III. Swimmers will complete six laps on a 1.67-kilometer course for a total distance of 10 kilometers.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who famously swam in the Seine last July to alleviate concerns over water quality before the Olympics, expressed confidence in the preparations, stating, “There’s been a clear improvement in the weather these past few days. So I’m really proud and happy, and to all those who want to continue saying it’s impossible to depollute a river, I tell them, ‘Yes, it’s possible; we did it.'”

Historically, swimming in the Seine has been prohibited since 1923 due to toxic water conditions. However, the city launched an ambitious initiative that included €1.4 billion in infrastructure improvements to make certain swimming events viable in the river. This plan encompassed the construction of a massive basin to capture excess rainwater and prevent wastewater from contaminating the river, along with renovating sewer systems and upgrading wastewater treatment facilities.

While only a small number of the over 100 triathletes who competed in the men’s and women’s individual races last week fell ill in the following days, it remains unclear whether the water was the cause. It’s worth noting that most strains of E. coli and enterococci are harmless; some even reside in the intestines of healthy individuals and animals. However, certain strains can be dangerous, and even a small amount of contaminated water can lead to infections in the urinary tract or intestines.