Belgian Olympic triathlete Jolien Vermeylen has openly criticized Paris 2024 officials after a disturbing swim in the Seine River during the women’s individual triathlon. Despite assurances that the water was safe, Vermeylen and other athletes were exposed to potentially hazardous conditions in the polluted river.1
Alarming Discoveries During the Swim
During the 1500-meter swim, Vermeylen revealed that she felt and saw unsettling debris in the water. “While swimming under the bridge, I felt and saw things that we shouldn’t think about too much,” she shared, highlighting the grim reality of the Seine’s condition.2
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Health Concerns Loom Large
Vermeylen expressed deep concern about her health after ingesting a significant amount of The Seine’s polluted water. “We’ll know tomorrow if I’m sick or not,” she stated. The presence of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, which was found to be ten times above acceptable levels in June, has raised fears about potential health repercussions.
Officials’ Questionable Decisions
Despite recent improvements in water quality, some areas of the swim course still exceeded safe bacteria levels. Vermeylen was blunt in her criticism: “The Seine has been dirty for a hundred years, so they can’t say that the safety of the athletes is a priority. That’s bulls**t!”
The Price of Pushing Forward
Vermeylen, who took precautions by consuming probiotics and Yakult, lamented that these measures may not have been sufficient. She remarked, “I had the idea of not drinking water, but yes, it failed.” The decision to proceed with the race through The Seine despite the risks has sparked controversy.
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The Shadow Cast Over the Paris Olympics
The race concluded with triumphs for some, but Vermeylen’s experience has overshadowed the events, drawing attention to the safety concerns that were seemingly overlooked. Her testimony has gone viral, igniting a debate over the priorities of the Olympic organizers.
A Call for Stricter Safety Measures
As Paris aims to showcase a cleaner Seine, Vermeylen’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that remain. Athletes’ health should never be compromised, and this incident raises serious questions about the future of swimming events in the Seine River.
Sources
- “Olympics Swimmer ‘Felt And Saw Things We Shouldn’t Think About’ After Swimming In Polluted River.” Twenty Two Words. clairebrainjolt. August 2, 2024
- “Paris Olympics triathlete slams officials after swimming in ‘dirty’ Seine River, ‘I felt…’” Hindustan Times. Arya Vaishnavi. August 3, 2024.