After competing in the polluted Seine River, Olympic swimmers resort to soft drinks to combat bacteria

Weather of Arabia - Many international athletes have confirmed that consuming sugary soda found in soft drinks has helped them fight bacteria and prevent any infection that may be transmitted to them after competing in open water.

New Zealander Ainsley Thorpe told the Wall Street Journal after the women's triathlon last week:

“There is no harm in drinking soft drinks after the race.” “If you Google it, it says it can help you.”

Although doctors point out that there is no medical support for the idea that soft drinks are an effective treatment for digestive system diseases, many athletes still follow the advice of the specialists around them in Paris.

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Soft drinks against bacteria in the polluted Seine River

Olympic athletes have also been taking probiotic cocktails before and after their races to combat pollution in the Seine River.

While Maria Abreu, president of the American Gastroenterology Association, stated that soft drinks would not have a significant effect on the intestines of Olympic athletes.

Abreu said:

"These guys are athletes, right? They'll be healthy and have strong stomach acids."

Some athletes use soda as an energy drink to restore some of the sugar lost during competition, as a 12-ounce can contains 39 grams of sugar, which is equivalent to 10 teaspoons.

Seine River Pollution and the Olympic Games

Thursday's race was approved by Olympic officials after water quality tests reached minimum limits. However, several induction events on the Seine have been cancelled; Due to failure of water quality tests. Swimming marathon training on August 6 was cancelled; Because levels of enterococci - bacteria found in faeces - are higher than acceptable limits for global water sports.

The men's individual triathlon was also postponed for a few days due to high levels of E. coli after rain fell during the opening ceremonies, which led to sewage leaking into the river.

Before the Olympics, officials implemented an ambitious $1.5 billion plan to improve infrastructure and clean up the long-polluted Seine River.

Despite these efforts, many athletes developed illnesses after individual races.

Competitors from Belgium and Switzerland fell ill, forcing the Swiss to adjust their roster for the mixed relay race held on Monday, and forcing Belgium to withdraw from the race.

“Unfortunately, the BOIC and Belgian Triathlon must announce that the Belgian Hammers will not participate in the mixed relay at the Olympic Games in Paris tomorrow,” a statement from the country said. The statement added:

"The decision was made in consultation with the athletes and their entourage. Claire Michel, a member of the relay, is unfortunately ill and must withdraw from the competition."

It is not clear whether the waters of the Seine River were the cause of the diseases.

See also:

Is Paris coffee made with polluted river water? Paris Olympics complaints affect coffee

Paris Olympics: Fears that athletes might be infected with a disease caused by rats

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