Olympic Athletes Are at Risk of Infectious Diseases

Health risks for athletes in the Paris Olympics go beyond swimming in the Seine River, where dangerous levels of E. coli bacteria were detected.

The intense physical training, traveling, and close contact with teammates and competitors make infectious diseases a significant concern for professional athletes. These diseases may not only hinder their athletic performance but also pose long-term health risks.

In the Paris Olympic Games 2024, several infectious diseases threaten the health of athletes and spectators.

Contracting E. coli from the river water

Swimming in the Seine River, which divides the capital of France, has been prohibited for nearly a century due to low water quality. Unsurprisingly, the decision to hold Olympic swimming races in the river raised many fears and speculations.

To convince the public that the $1.5 million cleaning effort was successful, the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, took a dip in the river herself and said that after the Games, the Seine could serve as a swimming pool for all people.

Anne Hidalgo dans la Seine:
-1 400 000 000 € pour une Seine (potentiellement) potable, afin qu’Anne Hidalgo fasse 3 min dedans devant les caméras.
👉On aurait pu construire cinq hôpitaux!#GouvernementDeTromperie #Macron #1erMinistre pic.twitter.com/icVAUkc6g5

undefined Caroline Laporte (@LaporteCaroli) July 17, 2024

However, the men's triathlon race originally scheduled for Tuesday was postponed due to tests detecting high levels of E. coli bacteria in the river after days of rainy weather.

Infection with E. coli bacteria may cause diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and fever.

Contaminated water is a common source of infection, and it can spread between people. For example, you can get it from surfaces or food someone with the infection has touched if they don't wash their hands well enough. Healthy individuals normally recover from the infection within a week.

Last year, at least 57 triathlon athletes fell ill with sickness and diarrhea after competing in the sea during the World Triathlon Championship Series in Sunderland, the United Kingdom. Testing data released after the race showed a more than 39 times increase in E. coli colonies.

The spread of COVID-19 among athletes

Contrary to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which took place without fans due to the risk of COVID-19, there are no restrictions for the games in Paris. However, this doesn't mean that the infection has disappeared.

German decathlete, Manuel Eitel, announced his withdrawal from the Olympics due to a coronavirus infection on Tuesday, calling it one of the worst days of his life.

Australian swimmer Lani Pallister also had to withdraw from the Games due to COVID-19, while British swimmer Adam Peaty tested positive a day after winning the silver medal. They are among a total of seven athletes testing positive during the first week of the Olympics.

French health officials encouraged athletes to take COVID-19 precautions.

"We have a protocol (that) any athlete that has tested positive has to wear a mask and we remind everyone to follow best practices but in terms of monitoring COVID, cases are quite low in France," Anne Descamps, Paris 2024 chief communications director, is quoted by Reuters.

Potential risk of dengue fever

Health officials in Paris are checking over 500 nesting traps for tiger mosquitoes that carry dengue disease, which has surged over the past few months.

As temperatures rise, mosquitoes that were previously found only in tropical areas are now present in some European countries.

The viral infection, also called a bone-breaking disease, is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Symptoms typically include high fever, pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, and rash. In some individuals, dengue disease can be severe and require hospitalization.

You can reduce the risk of contracting dengue fever by using a repellent, wearing clothes covering your entire body, and using mosquito nets.