2024 Olympics: Two Portuguese triathletes fall ill after swimming in the Seine
Recent statements from the Portuguese Olympic Committee (COP) have reignited controversies surrounding the water quality of the Seine. Two days after the mixed relay race on Monday August 5, the COP announced that two of its triathletes, Vasco Vilaça and Mélanie Santos, had developed gastrointestinal infections. After swimming in the Seine and finishing fifth in the race, both athletes suffered from vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms. The COP assured that Vasco Vilaça's condition is stable and that the medical team is closely monitoring his situation in the Olympic village.
Vasco Vilaça shared his feelings on Instagram, explaining that he had experienced symptoms similar to a stomach flu on Tuesday evening. However, he sought to put things into perspective by emphasizing the importance of the performances achieved by his team in Paris. Mélanie Santos was also affected, but less severely. These cases come in addition to those of other triathletes who suffered from gastric problems during these Games, reinforcing concerns about the quality of the water in the Seine.
Despite these incidents, Belgian triathlete Claire Michel recently denied any responsibility of the Seine for her own malaise, affirming that analyzes had revealed a virus, and not contamination linked to water. Likewise, the president of the Swiss Triathlon Federation, Pascal Salamin, played down concerns, clarifying that the problems encountered by his athletes were likely viral in origin, regardless of water quality.
Alice Leroy
