- Seven athletes, including gold medalists, fell ill after swimming in the Seine River during the Paris 2024 Olympics.
- Despite cleanup efforts, the river’s safety was questioned as the athletes experienced symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.
- Experts have weighed in on potential causes of the illnesses, challenging the effectiveness of public health safety measures.
During the 2024 Olympics in Paris, while athletes shattered world records and claimed their medals, an unexpected challenge emerged outside the competition. After taking a dip in the Seine River, seven athletes fell ill, raising concerns about water quality.
Despite centuries of the Seine being a dumping site, significant resources and effort were dedicated to cleaning it before the Games. Nonetheless, experts and online users quickly noted that the river was still unclean.
Athletes dive into the Seine River to compete in the Mixed Relay at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on August 5, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
