The 2024 Paris Olympics have been marred by disturbing revelations about the condition of the Seine River and the dismal state of the Olympic Village, raising serious questions about the event’s readiness and athlete welfare.
Canadian triathlete Tyler Mislawchuk, who recently finished ninth in the triathlon, experienced a shocking ordeal that highlighted these issues. After competing in the triathlon last week, Mislawchuk was left violently ill, vomiting ten times following his swim in the Seine. His distressing health crisis came as he was poised for a top-three finish, only to be derailed in the final stretch of the race.
The Seine River, intended to be a picturesque venue for the triathlon, has been plagued by chronic sanitation problems. Despite years of French efforts to clean the river, it appears these attempts have fallen short. Reports leading up to the games raised serious concerns about the river’s safety, and some events were even postponed or canceled due to fears of contaminated water. The latest incident with Mislawchuk underscores the failure to address these environmental hazards adequately.
Mislawchuk himself expressed his frustration, saying, “For me, whether I was fourth or 55th, it doesn’t really matter. I tried to win a medal, and I went out there and was basically in third place with the two French guys for five and a half or six kilometers.” He lamented the health issues that surfaced later in the race, attributing them partly to the oppressive heat. “I vomited ten times after the race … it got hot in the last laps,” he recounted.
The state of the Seine River has been condemned by other athletes as well. Dutch triathlete Rachel Klamer didn’t hold back her disgust, calling the water “disgusting” and describing the swimming conditions as a “lottery.” Klamer’s frustration reflects a broader sentiment among competitors who found the conditions both unfair and hazardous.
The issues extend beyond the contaminated Seine. The American Tribune has previously reported on the deplorable conditions within the Olympic Village, where athletes have been subjected to “eco-friendly” but impractical amenities. Complaints have centered on inadequate sleeping arrangements, vegan meal plans, and a lack of air conditioning—all of which are believed to hinder athletes’ performance. Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus publicly criticized these conditions, suggesting they may have cost her a gold medal. “It probably wasn’t the time I thought I was capable of, but living in the Olympic Village makes it hard to perform,” she said. “It’s definitely not made for high performance, so it’s about who can really keep it together in the mind.”
Former Olympic swimmer James Magnussen also weighed in, pointing out the negative impact of the village’s substandard conditions. “There’s multiple factors that make village life far from ideal,” Magnussen noted. “There will be many athletes across the two weeks of competition who miss out on a medal… because they’re unsettled by this new environment.”
As the Paris Olympics continue to unfold, the mounting issues surrounding the Seine’s water quality and the Olympic Village’s living conditions reveal a broader problem with the event’s execution. The well-being of athletes and the integrity of the games are being called into question, leaving many to wonder if these problems could have been avoided with better planning and oversight.
