Paris Olympics 2024: Swimmers turn to Coca-Cola & odd ways to fight bacteria from polluted Seine river
The Seine River's pollution has caused significant disruptions at the Paris Olympics, including canceled training sessions and a delayed triathlon. To deal with it, athletes are experimenting with unconventional solutions, like drinking Coca-Cola and even avoiding handwashing!
In Paris, where the Seine River usually adds to the city's charm, a different kind of trouble has surfaced. During the ongoing Olympics, concerns about pollution have caused a series of disruptions.
Training sessions on the river have been cancelled five times since the Games started on July 28, and the men's individual triathlon has been delayed by 24 hours.
But participants have found different hacks - from drinking Coca Cola to not washing hands.
How the Seine River became a major hurdle at the Olympics
The Seine was chosen as the venue for the triathlon and marathon swimming events.
But one out of every four tests for enterococci bacteria in the Seine River¡ªa key indicator of fecal contamination¡ªexceeded the safe limit, according to World Aquatics.
Credit: AP
The situation became so critical that the men's individual triathlon was delayed by 24 hours after heavy rain during the opening ceremonies caused sewage to spill into the river, raising E. coli levels.
Despite concerns, the mixed relay race went ahead as planned on Monday and the marathon swimming events¡ª10km (6.2-mile) races in open water¡ªare scheduled for Thursday for women and Friday for men.
Participants find unique hack
But participants have found a unique hack to deal with it - Coca Cola.
Several athletes believes that the sugary drink helps them to prevent infections.
New Zealand's Ainsley Thorpe told the Wall Street Journal after the Women's Triathlon: "There's no harm in drinking a Coke after a race."
In fact, American Katie Grimes was seen holding a bottle of Coca-Cola after qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Check it out here:
And where did they get this information from? They say they simply googled it.
While there's no solid medical proof that Coca-Cola can flush out pollutants, it certainly helps restore lost sugar and energy.
Other athletes are trying different strategies.
Former Team USA open water swimmer Emily Klueh told WSJ, "I've heard that taking a shot of J?germeister just kills everything in your stomach."
The New York Post quotes Beligium triathlete Jolien Vermeylen, after her race on July 31, "I took pro-biotics, I drank my Yakult, I couldn't do more."
But one participant truly took the cake for his unique approach to handling the polluted Seine.
Credit: AP | Seth Rider
American triathlete Seth Rider made headlines by choosing not to wash his hands at all¡ªafter eating, training, or even using the bathroom. His reasoning? Exposing himself to the E. coli bacteria to build immunity.
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Srishti B Dutta brings you everything from rags-to-riches tales and inspiring student success stories to those "No way, this can't be real!" moments. Whether it's intriguing, heartwarming, or just plain quirky, she's got it covered.
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