With the Olympics approaching, an unexpected and somewhat strange trend has emerged among swimmers competing in the Seine River: consuming Coca-Cola to ward off potential infections.
With growing concerns about the safety of river water, some athletes are turning to one of the world’s most famous soft drinks in the hope that its acidity can kill any harmful bacteria they might ingest during their races.
But experts are skeptical, and the practice has raised more questions than answers. Could the soft drink really offer protection against waterborne diseases, or is it just another example of athletes trying to find solace in unlikely solutions?
Let’s dive deeper into the rationale behind this unorthodox measure and the lingering concerns about the Seine’s water quality.
Olympic swimmers are taking extra precautions against potential infections from the River Seine, relying on one of the world’s most popular soft drinks.
With growing concerns about high levels of E. coli in the Seine, some athletes have decided to drink Coca-Cola after races in an attempt to prevent infection. The idea is that the drink’s acidity could help kill any bacteria swimmers may ingest during competition. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
Dr. Maria Abreu, president of the American Gastroenterology Association, explained to the Wall Street Journal that a healthy stomach is more acidic than Coca-Cola, so drinking soda won’t destroy any bacteria the swimmer’s body hasn’t already dealt with.
“They are young, athletic people,” she said. “They have healthy stomachs with strong acid.
This unconventional method came about after several events had already been delayed due to river contamination. In preparation for the games, France has invested over $1.5 billion in improving Seine infrastructure, including efforts to clean up the river, according to The Independent. Despite these measures, the test marathon race planned for Wednesday, August 7 had to be canceled due to poor water quality.
In addition, Belgium’s medley relay team withdrew from the event due to safety concerns after one of its swimmers fell ill from the waters of the Seine. A Swiss swimmer also reported falling ill after racing in the river.
In conclusion, although Olympic swimmers resort to unconventional methods such as drinking Coca-Cola to protect themselves from potential infections in the Seine River, the scientific validity of this practice remains questionable. Despite efforts to improve the river’s water quality, including a major investment by France to clean up the Seine, concerns about contamination remain.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges facing event organizers and athletes, with some teams already withdrawing due to health reasons. As the Games approach, the question remains: how effective are these measures and what more can be done to ensure the safety of competitors in the waters of the Seine?