US Olympic Triathlete Doesn’t Wash Hands in Preparation for Seine E. coli: – Sportsnet.ca

American triathlete Seth Rider has developed a whole strategy to prepare for swimming in the polluted River Seine during the Olympic Games in Paris.

“It’s a proven method. Backed by science,” he told reporters Saturday, per Today in the US‘s Kim Hjelmgaard. “It’s just little things, throughout your day. Like not washing your hands after you go to the toilet and things like that.”

That may sound gross, but swimming in the Seine is not for the faint-hearted.

The latest bacteria results, released Friday, show E. coli levels are below the standard needed to continue the competition.

French organizers have done everything they can to get the river to an acceptable level, and several politicians have taken a dip in the water in recent weeks to show that it is safe.

But the rainfall of the past two days in Paris has not improved the situation.

“We actually did the test event here last year,” Rider said. “I don’t think anyone got sick afterward, which can’t be said for all the races we do. In preparation for this race, I knew there was going to be some exposure to E. coli. So I’ve been trying to increase my E. coli threshold by exposing myself to a little bit of E. coli in my daily life.”

Fellow American triathlete Taylor Spivey told reporters she was increasing her intake of live bacteria and yeasts, which “can help us fight off any kind of illness that comes our way.”

The men’s triathlon is scheduled for Tuesday.

If the river is deemed unsafe, the event may be postponed or converted to a duathlon with only bike and run.

Marathon swimming is also planned for the Seine. There is a reserve location for that event.