World Wide
Concerns Mounted Over Seine River’s Water Quality on the Paris Olympics
With the reaction of the players
By Bo-Gyung Lee
2024-11-11
The BBC reported that Belgian triathlete Claire Michel withdrew from the mixed relay event due to health concerns after swimming in the Seine. This had sparked renewed debate over the water pollution of the Seine River, a critical issue as the Paris Olympics approach, raising questions about athlete safety. Despite longstanding water quality issues, the Seine was selected as the venue for Olympic swimming events. Industrial pollution has made the river unsuitable for swimming since 1923. Yet, the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee pushed forward with the decision, positioning the Seine as a symbol of the Games' revival. The Washington Post reported that both France and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) sought a landmark event, hoping to reverse declining TV ratings and waning public interest. The Seine was to be the centerpiece of this effort, showcasing Paris’s ambition to return to its roots, with the river finally opened to swimming after a century. Despite the symbolic significance, the decision to hold swimming events in the Seine has been met with apprehension. The NGO Surfrider Foundation revealed that recent water quality measurements showed bacterial levels up to three times above acceptable limits. The foundation warned that these conditions could pose serious risks to athletes. In response, French authorities and local governments have invested 1.4 billion euros to clean the river. In April, officials expressed confidence, with Paris city representatives touting water treatment solutions, such as the Ostelitz Basin, aimed at managing water quality. Several athletes have voiced their unease about competing in the Seine. Irish marathon swimmer Daniel Wiffen, a bronze medalist, opted out of pre-race training in the river, stating, “I don’t want to catch any illness.” Similarly, German swimmer Leonie Beck, who placed 9th in the marathon event, skipped her practice in the river, fearing health complications. The water quality of the Seine has transformed from an environmental concern to a potential hazard for the athletes. The health and safety of competitors are at the forefront. The question remains whether the symbolic significance of the Seine swimming events could outweigh the practical risks. In this regard, for the next Olympics, the IOC must prioritize the safety of all participants by addressing the sanitation issues mentioned above, creating optimal conditions for their best performance and ensuring that the same problems are not repeated.