Swimmers Drink Coke to Avoid Seine River Germs

As the Paris Olympics approach, some of the world's top swimmers are resorting to an unconventional remedy to combat potential illnesses from the Seine's polluted waters: drinking Coca-Cola. Athletes from teams including Australia, the US, New Zealand, and Italy have shared their belief that the soft drink helps flush out toxins after training or competing in the river. Moesha Johnson from Team Australia remarked, “The myth of Coca-Cola is true,” highlighting the widespread reliance on this unscientific approach among competitors. Despite the popularity of this practice, experts question its efficacy. Dr. Maria Abreu, president of the American Gastroenterological Association, noted that Coca-Cola is less acidic than a healthy stomach, suggesting it may not provide any real infection-fighting benefits. She emphasized that these athletes, being young and fit, already possess robust stomach acid that is effective in combating pathogens. Concerns about the Seine's water quality have been longstanding, with swimming in the river largely banned for the past century due to toxicity. Although French officials have invested $1.5 billion in infrastructure improvements to enhance water safety, issues remain. Recently, Belgium withdrew its team from a mixed relay event after an athlete fell ill, and a Swiss swimmer also missed competition due to health concerns. In an effort to reassure athletes, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo publicly swam in the Seine, asserting the river's safety. However, skepticism persists among some who believe that swimming in the Seine may not be a wise decision, despite official claims of successful depollution efforts.