Serious health risks Olympic athletes who swam in polluted river Seine could face

Ever since the 2024 Olympics kicked off in Paris last week, one of the most controversial topics of conversation has been the quality of the River Seine.

With countless sporting competitions scheduled to take place in the French capital's waters, organisers hoped that the events would run smoothly, despite initial concern surrounding possible pollution.

After being postponed for several days, however, numerous competitions - predominantly the men's and women's triathlon - have since taken place in the murky waters.

Tragically, however, several swimmers have since either been taken ill or have been left scarred following their performance in the Seine.

Millions of spectators are now worried about possible further health risks that Olympians might face.

Several events were initially postponed over disputes surrounding the quality of the water. (ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Why were events postponed?

As we say, athletes who were required to swim as part of their performance this week very nearly didn't.

Alarmingly, Olympic officials deemed the water too unsafe to swim in, after discovering that the river had showed persistent levels of E. coli, which broke the limits imposed of sports federations.

Who became ill?

Canadian swimmer/cyclist/runner Tyler Mislawchuk was caught on camera regurgitating his morning meal upon reaching the finish line of the men's triathlon race on Wednesday (31 July),

Meanwhile, Belgium’s Jolien Vermeylen, who finished 24th in the women’s event, claimed that she 'saw and felt things' in the River Seine that she didn't care to expand on.

She also admitted that she was aware of the health risks that came with competing.

Tyler Mislawchuk promptly vomited after his performance. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

"It was now or never, and they couldn’t cancel the race completely either," she told VTM this week. "Now they just have to hope that there won’t be too many sick athletes.

"I took pro-biotics, I drank my Yakult, I couldn’t do more. I had the idea of ​​not drinking water, but yes, it failed."

What exactly are the health risks?

According to the UK Government website, swimming in contaminated waters can massively increase your risk of being diagnosed with a gastrointestinal illnesses, or stomach bugs, which may cause diarrhoea and/or vomiting.

Infections to the lungs, skin, ears and eyes are also common in these instances, after being triggered by micro-organisms such as norovirus, giardia and cryptosporidium.

Though these instances are usually mild, they can be extremely frustrating and can take several days to recover from.

Jolien Vermeylen was concerned about the amount of potentially contaminated water she drank. (JASPER JACOBS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

In the most severe cases, however, infections caused by micro-organisms such as E.coli O157 which, as we mentioned earlier, can lead to horrendous gastrointestinal illness and leptospirosis (Weil’s disease), which can cause liver and kidney problems.

Speaking to press on the matter, Dr Samuel Jones from Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, explained: "Bacteria such a campylobacter, salmonella and E. coli can be found in sewage and cause severe diarrhoea and vomiting that can make you very dehydrated and unwell.

"There have also been reports that hepatitis A is often contracted through sewage water through infected faecal matter.

"Symptoms will initially include muscle aches, fevers and vomiting but can progress to yellowing of the skin through jaundice."