Australian athletes to have final say on Seine swimming

SYDNEY – Australia will provide protective treatment for its athletes

competing in the waters of the River Seine

at the Paris Olympics, but the final decision on whether they take the plunge will rest with the swimmers.

France has committed to clearing the famed waterway of pollutants to safely stage the marathon swimming and swimming element of the triathlon in July and August.

A giant reservoir was opened in May to help reduce the risks of pollution in the river, but regular tests of the water quality are still revealing unhealthy levels of contaminants after rainy days.

Anna Meares, Australia’s chef de mission for the Games, said she had faith in the assurances of the organisers on the matter of water safety but would not be dictating any action to athletes if tests showed the water was not safe.

“It’s not a point of us stepping in to say ‘We will not let you swim’. Ultimately it’s the choice of the athlete,” the former cyclist, a two-time Olympic champion, said on June 5.

“But we’re not going to put any athlete in an environment that risks their well-being, that information will be given to them and that choice will ultimately be theirs.

“Try standing in front of an Olympian who’s trained for their whole life and tell them ‘No’. It’s not going to happen.”

Team medical director Carolyn Broderick said the Australian Olympic Committee had experience of protecting athletes from potential infection after similar concerns about the open-water swimming venue at the 2016 Rio Games.

“I think if the Paris organising committee say it’s safe to swim, I don’t have grave concerns,” she said. “We are certainly aware that the water quality differs considerably based on what’s happening outside, particularly rainfall. So we need to prepare them for the possible pathogens that might be in there. We’ve got a system in place.”

Dr Broderick said her medical team would apply antibacterial solutions to the eyes and skin of athletes after they had been in the water and offer them prophylactic drugs to prevent gut infections.

Meares also said Australia’s expected team of around 460 athletes could expect a high level of support in Paris and the other Olympic venues.

As well as a dedicated gym in the Athletes’ Village, the Australians will have exclusive access to a pantry of delicacies such as Vegemite spread and pies, while three baristas will be travelling to ensure a ready supply of coffee.

Meares added that although organisers were not providing air conditioning in the Village on sustainability grounds, Australia would be putting a unit in each bedroom for use in case of extreme heat. REUTERS