'Rat urine disease' threatens to cause havoc for Olympic athletes as Paris 2024 chiefs act

Olympic organizers have been forced to act to stop athletes from contracting a disease linked to rat urine in Paris this summer.

While the city of love is known for its beautiful landmarks and delectable cuisine, it also comes with an unwanted massive rodent problem.

As the River Seine is scheduled to host marathon swimming at the Olympics and swimming sections of the Olympic and Paralympic triathlons, there have been raised concerns about the hazardous bacteria found in rat urine that could lead to leptospirosis. If contracted, this illness can cause flu-like symptoms and severe damage to liver and kidneys in extreme cases.

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In preparation for safer Games, extensive steps have been taken to spruce up the city. A whopping $1.4bn has been invested since 2015 in preparing the Seine for the Olympics and ensuring a cleaner river for the locals post-games.

The city authorities have also deployed traps to curb the rat population. "All of the Olympic sites and celebration areas were analysed [for rats] before the Games," says deputy mayor Anne-Claire Boux, who heads public health.

"Where there were areas with lots of rats we put traps in place ahead of the Games. Ultimately, no one should aim to exterminate Paris's rats, and they're useful in maintaining the sewers. The point is that they should stay in the sewers."

In a move to showcase the suitability of the Seine for Olympic athletes, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo took a plunge in the river last week. Similarly, Minister of Sports and Games, Amelie Oudea-Castera, also had a swim a few days earlier.

Mayor Hidalgo donned a wetsuit and jumped into the river near her office at City Hall, close to the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral. She was accompanied by head of Paris 2024, Tony Estanguet, and top government official for the Paris region, Marc Guillaume.

"The water is very, very good. A little cool, but not so bad," noted Hidalgo after her dip in the river.