"My Stomach Felt Like It Had a Small Child" — Canadian Triathlete Vomits After Swimming in Polluted Seine

A Tough Finish in Paris

Canadian triathlete Tyler Mislawchuk had a tough end to his Olympic triathlon on July 31, 2024. After finishing in ninth place, he was seen vomiting on live TV. The race, which included a challenging 1.5-km swim in the River Seine, played a significant role in his distressing post-race experience.

The Seine’s Pollution Challenges

The River Seine, known for its pollution issues, presented a major hurdle. Malay Mail reported that heavy rainfall caused the city’s sewer system to overflow, leading to high levels of E. coli, a sign of fecal contamination. Fecal contamination happens when germs from human or animal poop get into food, water, or the environment.

Reassurances and Event Continuation

Initially, there were worries that the triathlon might be delayed due to the water quality. However, Unilad reported that after thorough testing, officials confirmed the water was safe. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who had swum in the Seine River to show it was safe, expressed relief at the event’s success.

Mislawchuk’s Tough Race

In an interview with CBC Olympics, Mislawchuk shared his challenging experience. He described his discomfort, saying, “My stomach felt like it had a small child in there,” emphasizing the severity of his condition.

Mislawchuk explained that while vomiting sometimes occurs after a race, swallowing a lot of water made it worse this time. He clarified that it wasn’t about the water quality; his stomach was just extremely full, which became a limiting factor during the race. Despite this, he expressed pride in his performance, stating, “I’ve already come top 15 in two Olympics. What’s left to do is win a medal.”