Two of the four members of the Portuguese team taking part in a triathlon on the River Seine have fallen ill, raising concerns about the quality of the river's water.
Vasco Vilaça and Melanie Santos contracted a gastrointestinal infection after swimming in the River Seine on August 5 during the triathlon competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
According to the Portuguese Olympic Committee (COP), Vasco Vilaça's symptoms were more pronounced than those of his counterpart.
He added: “His clinical condition is stable and the COP health team is taking all measures to monitor and provide conservative treatment to the athlete in the Olympic Village.” Advertise Conference of the Parties to the I reported Posted on August 7.
“In recent days, athlete Melanie Santos has also developed similar symptoms, but less severe,” the COP added.
there Belgium She did not take part in the mixed triathlon in Paris on Monday after runner Claire Michel fell ill and withdrew from the competition. However, the person concerned claimed that she was not contaminated with E. coli after swimming in the Seine.
In addition to Claire Michel, three other athletes – out of a hundred who competed in the men's and women's events on July 31 – fell ill in the following days, without us really knowing if the water was the cause.
With few exceptions, swimming in the Seine has been prohibited since 1923 due to the excessive toxicity of the water.
Paris has an ambitious plan, including 1.4 billion euros to improve infrastructure, to allow some swimming events to take place in the river.
The investment included building a giant pond to capture excess rainwater and prevent sewage from flowing into the river, renovating sewage infrastructure and improving sewage treatment plants.
Additional Resources • Written by: Serge Duchene
