Olympic athletes taking extreme lengths to avoid illness from polluted River Seine

Olympic athletes are taking extraordinary precautions for their upcoming swim in the Seine River, notorious for its pollution .

Beyond the usual goggles and wetsuits, some competitors are even taking preventative antibiotics and other unconventional methods to stave off bacterial infections. The Great Britain triathletes are taking no chances when it comes to competing in the Seine River's challenging waters during the Olympics . According to triathlete Georgia Taylor-Brown, their meticulous pre and post-race routines include taking Pepto-Bismol to ward off nausea, using mouthwash to clear out any lingering bacteria, and even utilizing Coca-Cola once they finish.

"The water qualities aren’t great and nobody wants to get ill," she said, as quoted by the Daily Mail. "We’ve seen it after races before that people are getting sick and that’s really unfortunate. Obviously we have the individual, but five days later we also have the relay, so we need to keep on top of everything. I take probiotics every single day for gut health, and it’s about looking after yourself and being very diligent with the processes we have. We use things like Pepto-Bismal to line your stomach before and after the race. We have mouthwash straight away."

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Taylor-Brown mentioned the post-race ritual of drinking a can of Coke, alluding to an old belief that the fizzy beverage's acidic properties can cleanse the stomach of harmful bacteria, similar to how it can clean a tarnished coin. While acknowledging this might not be the healthiest practice, the detailed regimen underscores the seriousness with which the team approaches the health risks.

The triathlon at Pont Alexandre III spans two days and features 110 elite athletes in both the men's and women's events. Competitors will brave a 1500m swim in the Seine, tackle a grueling 40km cycle, and cap it off with a 10km run.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo made a splash—literally—by taking a dip in the Seine River ahead of the games to address concerns about the river’s cleanliness. After alarming reports surfaced, the daring move was part of Hidalgo’s promise to tackle the Seine’s water quality issues head-on.

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Even before her swim, France has gone all out, constructing a colossal tank to capture sewage before it taints the Seine. The $1.5 billion pollution-fighting initiative includes an advanced filtration system capable of holding 13.2 million gallons - equivalent to 20 Olympic-sized pools - to ensure athletes swim in safe waters.

But the Seine’s murky waters are still troubled by rainwater , car wash chemicals, and other contaminants, sparking a political storm. Critics argue that the $1.5 billion splurge could be better spent improving citizens’ lives rather than prepping for the Olympics.

Labor unions have taken to the streets, demanding better working conditions, and some activists have even threatened to turn the river into a protest toilet to highlight their discontent with the government’s priorities. Outside of the triathlon, the Seine will be utilized for marathon swimming events , which are 10 kilometers long.