Is the Seine River safe for Olympians?
We’re following the story, and we tapped an infectious disease expert to explain the risk.
The Belgian Olympic committee did not share further details on her illness.
Switzerlands team was also affected by illness, with one triathlete contracting a stomach infection after the mens triathlon.
Open water events have faced challenges throughout the Paris Olympics due to poor water quality in the Seine River.
In late June, test results of the water were murky.
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In fact, the river has been off-limits to swimmers for the last100 yearsbecause of high pollution levels.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
High levels of E.coli in the river can be a legitimate concern for athletes health.
If they ingest enough harmful bacteria, they could end up with diarrheasimilar to the effects offood poisoning.
That would be the most common [side effect], Dr. Iovine says.
How likely is it that the Seine River water made the athletes sick?
The likeliness of athletes getting sick from the river water is unclear, per Dr. Iovine.
Its hard to say.
Still, two swimmers are sick enough to bow out of competition.
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But at this time, its impossible to say whether the Seine River water was to blame.
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