Swimmer Withdraws from Race Over Seine River Concerns
- Swedish swimmer Victor Johansson withdrew from the Olympic men's 10km race after falling ill.
- Concerns over the cleanliness of the Seine River have prompted more athletes to reconsider their participation.
- This incident highlights ongoing issues related to water quality in the competition venues.
In a troubling development for the Paris Olympics, Swedish swimmer Victor Johansson has withdrawn from the men's 10-kilometer event due to health concerns stemming from the Seine River's water quality. Johansson reported feeling unwell after swimming in the river, stating that the experience was unsettling from the outset. He confirmed that other athletes have also fallen ill, raising alarms about the safety of the water for competition. The Seine River has faced fluctuating bacteria levels since the start of the Olympics, prompting cancellations and delays for several events. Notably, test swims for the triathlon were called off, and the men's triathlon was postponed by a day due to similar water quality issues. Johansson's withdrawal adds to a growing list of athletes opting out of events over these concerns, highlighting the ongoing risks associated with the river. Belgium's triathlon team also faced challenges, with Claire Michel initially withdrawing after feeling sick, later clarified to be due to a virus rather than E. coli bacteria. Other athletes, like Jolien Vermeylen, reported encountering debris during their swims, further emphasizing the river's unsuitability for competition. Despite a significant investment of $1.5 billion to improve the city's sewer systems ahead of the Games, the promise of a clean Seine for swimming has not materialized. Daily water tests continue to monitor E. coli levels, which must remain below 1,000 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters for events to proceed safely. Johansson, a first-time Olympian, previously secured gold in the 1500-meter freestyle at the 2019 Summer Universiade.