US triathlete makes disgusting confession at Olympics
In the days leading up to the Olympic triathlon, it might be best to avoid shaking hands with Seth Rider. The American athlete is preparing for the swim in the Seine with an unusual and somewhat disgusting method.
The debate around the Seine river in Paris continues even a day after the Olympic triathlon. For centuries, the river was known as the "sewer" of the French capital, with households disposing of their waste into it. For the Olympics, the Seine was restored at a cost of 1.4 billion euros. However, the results were mixed: the river was still too contaminated with bacteria to swim in on Tuesday, and it was only safe to do so on Wednesday.
For the athletes, this was an additional challenge in an already strenuous event. Videos circulating on social media show Canadian Tyler Misklawchuk vomiting in the finish area. Whether this was due to the dirty Seine water or simply the exertion of the triathlon is up for debate.
The water was also a topic of conversation among the athletes. While German Nina Eim said the river tasted normal, not everyone shared her experience. Belgian Jolien Vermeylen complained to a Belgian TV station that she had felt and seen things she didn't want to think about.
American triathlete Seth Rider took things to the extreme - even before the race. According to "USA Today," his team had prepared for the dirty Seine water by taking probiotics. These living bacteria and yeast are supposed to help the body prepare for any potential illnesses. But Rider wasn't satisfied with that. He knew he would encounter E. coli bacteria in the Seine, which are usually harmless but can cause illness in high concentrations. So, he tried to raise his tolerance to E. coli by exposing himself to small amounts of it in his daily life. This meant not always washing his hands after using the bathroom. Despite his unique preparation, he finished 29th in the competition.
In the end, it wasn't the cleanliness of the Seine that posed the biggest problem, but the current. "The swim was chaotic," said German Laura Lindemann. "I was suddenly under other people, then on top of them." Lisa Tertsch described it as being in a "washing machine" in the water. The atmosphere on Wednesday was unique, with no audible breathing and screams just two meters away, according to Tim Hellwig and Jonas Schomburg. They agreed that such an experience in a triathlon won't happen again soon.
Despite the successful restoration of the Seine for the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, some athletes still faced challenges during the triathlon. American triathlete Seth Rider, in his unusual preparation for the swim in the Seine, intentionally exposed himself to small amounts of E. coli bacteria to increase his tolerance, as he anticipated encountering high concentrations during the race.
