Olympic triathlete Jolien Vermeylen recently criticized officials for deeming the Seine River safe for swimming during the Women’s Triathlon, despite serious pollution concerns.
Representing Belgium, Vermeylen reported feeling and seeing debris while swimming the 1500m segment of the race. “While swimming under the bridge, I felt and saw things that we shouldn’t think about too much,” she told Flemish TV channel VTM.
Vermeylen, who finished 24th, expressed worry over ingesting contaminated water and its potential health effects. She joked about the water not tasting like soft drinks but remained anxious about possible sickness. Despite the officials’ assurances, high levels of E. coli, linked to fecal matter and capable of causing severe illnesses, were reported. Tests in June revealed E. coli levels ten times the acceptable limit, raising concerns about the safety of the swim.
Organizers had previously canceled training events due to water quality issues and postponed the men’s triathlon. Although substantial infrastructure investments aimed to clean the Seine in preparation for the Olympics, Vermeylen criticized the decision to expose athletes to such polluted conditions, questioning the validity of the officials’ assurances.
