German swimmer in Seine

Leonie Beck, a German swimmer, fell ill after competing in the women's open water race at the Paris 2024 Olympics, despite claims from organizers that the Seine River's water quality was safe. Beck reported vomiting nine times and suffering from diarrhea, sarcastically noting the 'approved' water quality in her Instagram post. Concerns about the Seine, historically polluted and once banned for swimming, intensified after her illness, alongside other athletes experiencing gastrointestinal issues. Despite a significant €1.4 billion investment to clean the river, E. coli levels have remained problematic, leading to schedule changes in the triathlon events. While some swimmers, including gold medalist Sharon van Rouwendaal, claimed the water was not an issue, others criticized the decision to allow swimming in the river. This situation has sparked widespread scrutiny regarding the safety of athletes at the Games.