- Further issues cropping up along the Seine, and it's unlikely that bacteria pose the most significant concern.
Before the Paralympic Games in Paris, a new argument is surfacing on the Seine. Following a lengthy debate about the river's cleanliness for competitions, Paralympic athletes are now expressing concerns. German triathlete Martin Schulz discussed the matter with the sports information service SID, asserting that the water quality of the Seine was "certainly not optimal," but the main issue was the current.
Athletes had previously condemned the river's turbulence at the end of July during the Summer Games. "The current was intense," said German triathlete Tim Hellwig after the event. "I was carried out 10, maybe 20 meters after the first buoy." The current caused swimmers to momentarily lose control and collide with one another. "It was a pretty rough race," Hellwig stated. "A full-blown scuffle in the water," his teammate Jonas Schomburg added.
Schulz commented that the current during the Summer Games was already borderline, "even for swimming experts." "Many Paralympic athletes cannot swim upstream. In the best-case scenario, they stay in place. Many will even swim backward."
"Polluted" Duathlon
If the Triathlon at the Paralympic Games cannot take place as planned, contingency plans are already in place, Schulz explained to SID. One option is to postpone the event. Another is for Paralympic athletes to swim downstream in the Seine. If a race in the Seine is impossible for Paralympic athletes, it would have to be replaced by a Duathlon involving cycling and running.
"There would be a tainted feeling," said Schulz. The competition would take place under different conditions, it would be distorted. "It's like if you removed five disciplines from the decathlon," said Schulz. Some athletes who are not as strong in swimming would benefit. Others who are particularly adept in the water would be at a disadvantage.
The organisers of the Paris Games themed them "Open Games," staging events at iconic buildings and places. 3x3 basketball was held at Place de la Concorde, equestrian events at the Palace of Versailles, beach volleyball near the Eiffel Tower. They also aimed to create iconic images of the triathlon along the Seine. They plan to do the same for the Paralympic Games, despite criticism of the river's uncleanliness and turbulence.
Schulz, who is considered a gold medal favorite, understands why the organisers wanted to hold the Paralympic Triathlon in the heart of the city. "It's a boost, it's great imagery for the world," he said. A race in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower is "special," but it's "a challenging situation. With the river, it's always a gamble."
Sickness Cases After Seine Races
Towards the end of the Summer Olympics in mid-August, there were reports of sickness among athletes from various nations who had participated in the Seine races. Three out of four German open water swimmers and swimmers complained of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Two of them required outpatient treatment.
In recent years, France has invested 1.4 billion euros to clean up the Seine. Concerns were raised about the project's success due to the outdated sewage system. In Paris, rainwater and wastewater sometimes share the same pipes, and when the system is overwhelmed, they also flow into the Seine. After heavy rainfall at the start of the Summer Games, the limit for E. coli bacteria in the river was exceeded multiple times. As a result, the men's triathlon had to be postponed by a day. It is not confirmed whether the later-reported illnesses among the athletes were directly linked to the Seine.
Despite the concerns raised by Paralympic athletes about the water quality and current in the Seine for the upcoming Triathlon, organizers of the Paris Games are determined to stage events at iconic landmarks, including a race along the Seine. If the Triathlon cannot take place as planned, a Duathlon involving cycling and running might be an alternative, acknowledges German triathlete Martin Schulz.
Furthermore, reports of sickness among athletes participating in the Seine races during the Summer Olympics have added to concerns about the river's cleanliness. Three out of four German open water swimmers and swimmers reported symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, after competing in the river, although the link between the illnesses and the Seine has not been confirmed.
