Belgian Triathlete Jolien Vermeylen Slams River Seine’s Filthy Conditions and Questions Safety Measures After £1.2 Billion Cleanup Effort in Paris

A Belgian triathlete has shared a vivid account of what it’s like to swim in the River Seine, calling the experience “disgusting” and criticizing the assurances made about athlete safety.

Jolien Vermeylen, who recently swam 1.5 kilometers in the Seine, didn’t hold back her feelings.

Despite a massive £1.2 billion spent on cleaning up the river, which had been off-limits for swimming for a century, the river’s water was still found to have ten times the allowed level of E. coli bacteria as recently as June.

The women’s triathlon was delayed after initial tests showed the river wasn’t clean enough.

The event eventually went ahead, with Brit Beth Potter clinching a bronze medal.

Vermeylen, who finished 24th, was critical of the organizers’ claims about prioritizing athlete safety.

Under the bridge, Vermeylen encountered conditions that she found unsettling. “The Seine has been dirty for a hundred years,” she told VTM. “They can’t say that the safety of the athletes is a priority. That’s bulls***!”

Paris 2024 and World Triathlon maintained that the health of the athletes was their top priority.

However, Vermeylen remained skeptical, noting, “I drank a lot of water, so we’ll know tomorrow if I’m sick or not.”

She expressed disappointment that the race couldn’t be canceled entirely, and she took all possible precautions, including probiotics.

The Historic Ban

Swimming in the Seine has been prohibited since 1923. Despite efforts by former Paris Mayor Jacques Chirac to clean it up, the river remained a challenge.

In a bizarre twist, some locals even threatened to defecate in the river to protest against the inadequate cleanup efforts.

The Reaction from Paris 2024

When asked if he would apologize to competitors, Etienne Thobois, director general of Paris 2024, avoided the question. He emphasized their respect for the athletes and their commitment to making the Seine swim a significant legacy.

Triumph and Triumph

On a brighter note, while Potter secured bronze in the women’s triathlon, Alex Yee achieved gold in the men’s event, overtaking Hayden Wilde in a dramatic finish.

The mixed triathlon relay is set to take place on August 5, promising another exciting day of competition.