Olympic Swimmer Withdraws from Race After Falling Ill from Seine River Water Quality

Swedish swimmer Victor Johansson recently withdrew from the Olympic men’s 10-kilometer race after becoming ill from swimming in the Seine River. Johansson’s decision highlights ongoing concerns about water quality at the Paris Olympics.

Johansson reported feeling unwell from the start of his race, attributing his illness to the river’s conditions. This follows a pattern of issues with the Seine River, which has faced fluctuating bacteria levels affecting various events. Earlier in the Olympics, test swims for triathlons were canceled, and the men’s triathlon was delayed by a day due to high bacteria levels.

Johansson is not alone in his concerns. Belgian athletes also experienced problems with water quality, leading to the withdrawal of their entire triathlon team after Claire Michel fell ill. Although Michel later discovered her illness was due to a virus and not bacteria, the situation raised significant concerns about the river’s cleanliness.

Despite a $1.5 billion investment to improve the river’s sewer systems for the Olympics, athletes have reported issues with debris and contamination. The water tests, which are conducted daily, have occasionally shown E. coli levels that exceed acceptable limits.

Johansson, competing in his first Olympics, had previously won gold in the men’s 1500-meter freestyle at the 2019 Summer Universiade. His withdrawal marks a notable instance of how environmental factors can impact athletic performance and safety at major international events.