Three German swimmers reportedly fell ill after participating in the open water races at the Paris Olympics, though it is not yet confirmed whether the long-polluted Seine River was the cause.
The German Olympic Sports Confederation released a statement on Saturday about the situation but did not identify the affected athletes.
“Two female German open water swimmers were treated as outpatients (Friday) for nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. They have been feeling much better since this morning,” the statement said. “Another swimmer with similar symptoms is currently being treated by the German team doctors.”
However, Leonie Beck, who finished ninth in the 10-kilometer event, took to social media to share her experience.
Beck posted a photo on Instagram, giving a thumbs up despite looking visibly unwell.
“Vomited 9 times yesterday + diarrhea,” she wrote, followed by a sarcastic comment, “Water quality in the Seine is approved,” along with a check mark.
Leonie Maertens, who placed 22nd in the women’s open water race, was the other German competitor in the event.
Germany also had two male swimmers in the competition including silver medalist Oliver Klemet and Florian Wellbrock, who finished in eighth place.
The statement did not specify which of the male swimmers was being treated and all three swimmers have recovered and plan to return home as scheduled.
In June 2024, unsafe amounts of E. coli had been found in the water in the Seine River, raising concern as to how the Games would continue to take place in the location.
According to test results published at the time, contamination levels in the first week of June showed bacteria such as E. coli to be higher than considered safe present in the water.
