The Seine River has caused concern among athletes and officials due to ongoing contamination issues during this year’s Summer Olympics.
World Aquatics announced on Wednesday that swimmers were testing the waters before the upcoming marathon swimming events. The marathon swimming events, covering a distance of 6.22 miles, are particularly worrisome. In comparison, the men’s and women’s Olympic triathlons include a 0.93-mile swim.
The women’s marathon swimming event is scheduled for Thursday, followed by the men’s event on Friday. These events will be the fourth and fifth ones to take place in the river, after last week’s triathlons and the mixed-gender relay event on Monday.
RELATED STORY | After water quality concerns canceled test runs, Olympic triathletes plunge into the Seine for relay
Despite concerns over water pollution, the men’s triathlon event was postponed briefly due to high levels of E. coli in the river. Subsequent tests showed that levels had returned to normal, allowing the competitions to proceed. Marathon swimmers were also unable to test the waters on Tuesday, but officials confirmed that bacteria levels had normalized by Wednesday.
Even though the triathlon events went ahead, worries persisted before the mixed triathlon relay. Belgium withdrew its relay team after one of their athletes fell ill following the women’s triathlon event. It was later revealed that the illness was caused by a virus, not E. coli.
Efforts have been made to improve water quality in the Seine, with the French government previously restricting swimming in the river due to contamination. Despite past concerns, Olympic athletes were permitted to compete in water events in the Seine.
