The Olympics swimming controversy with Paris' dirty Seine River, including a threatened poop protest, explained

Welcome to FTW Explains, a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. Have you seen some stuff about the Paris Olympics and how the River Seine is a venue that may not be healthy for swimmers to be in? And something about a poop protest? And you’re very confused about that whole thing? Don’t worry. We’re here to help.

That’s right, swimmers at the 2024 Olympics in Paris are supposed to be using the River Seine for certain events. But there are A LOT of questions about just how clean the body of water is.

Let’s break it all down.

Why the Olympics in Paris are using the Seine for events?

Great question! I guess it’s because it would be cool for the city to use its iconic waterway for events like the triathlon and marathon swimming races.

What’s the problem with the Seine?

Testing has shown high levels of E. coli in the water, and that bacteria is usually associated with … poop. Per The Athletic, those tests have been done with 28 days before the Games, and that would mean it would be unsafe for swimmers to perform in those waters.

Here’s more:

E. coli, along with enterococci, can cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia and sepsis when ingested. The latest findings marked the third consecutive week that samples from the river had unsafe levels of bacteria related to fecal matter.

Wait, is it even OK to swim in the river if you’re not an Olympian?

Nope. It’s been illegal in Paris since 1923.

How did France try to help with getting the Seine ready for the Olympics?

Paris spent a reported $1.5 billion (WITH A B!) to work on a solution, but heavy rains, er, flushed that plan down the toilet a bit. Sewage was washed in to the Seine and here we are.

What’s this now about a poop protest? Is that responsible for the E. Coli?

OK so back on June 23, people were encouraged to go No. 2 in the river with French president Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo vowing to swim in the Seine themselves to prove it was safe. While we don’t know if people actually did it, the public proposed Parisian poop protest made headlines everywhere.

Ew. Is there another venue available for those events if the Seine is too dirty?

Good question. There’s been no official word on that … but you’d have to think that’s the case if it’s unsafe for competitors, right? It would be a massive disaster if the Olympics had to cancel events. So, stay tuned.