Australia will offer protective measures for athletes competing in the waters of the River Seine at the Paris Olympics, with the final decision on participation left to the swimmers. France has pledged to clean the Paris waterway sufficiently to safely host the marathon swimming and triathlon events in July and August. Despite these efforts, regular water quality tests continue to show unhealthy levels of contaminants after rainfall.
Anna Meares, Australia’s Chef de Mission for the Games, expressed confidence in the organizers’ assurances regarding water safety. However, she emphasized that athletes would ultimately decide whether to compete if tests indicated unsafe conditions.
“It’s not our place to step in and forbid them from swimming,” Meares said during an Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) media briefing on the Paris Games. “Ultimately, the choice is the athlete’s. We won’t risk their well-being, but try telling an Olympian who has trained their whole life for this moment that they can’t compete. It’s not going to happen.”
Team medical director Dr. Carolyn Broderick highlighted the AOC’s experience in safeguarding athletes from potential infections, recalling similar concerns about open-water venues at the 2016 Rio Games. “If the Paris Organizing Committee says it’s safe to swim, I don’t have grave concerns,” she said. “We are aware that water quality varies with external factors, particularly rainfall. We’ll prepare athletes for possible pathogens and have a system in place to handle that.”
Broderick mentioned that the medical team would use antibacterial solutions on athletes’ eyes and skin after swimming and provide prophylactic drugs to prevent gut infections.
Meares assured that Australia’s expected team of around 460 athletes would receive extensive support in Paris. In addition to a dedicated gym in the athletes’ village, the team will have access to a pantry stocked with Australian delicacies such as Vegemite and pies, and three baristas will travel with the team to ensure a steady supply of coffee.
Although the organizers will not provide air-conditioning in the athletes’ village for sustainability reasons, Australia plans to install units in each bedroom for use in extreme heat. “We and the organizing committee have our own sustainability targets,” Meares said. “But we feel we must provide this measure for our athletes’ performance.”
Australia’s approach underscores their commitment to athlete safety and well-being while respecting the athletes’ autonomy and the sustainability goals of the Paris Olympics.
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