International
Paris Olympics: Van Rouwendaal slaked thirst with Seine water on way to gold
PARIS — Sharon van Rouwendaal paid little heed to concerns about bacterial infections when she drank a bit of Seine water on the way to Olympic gold on Thursday (Aug 8) in the women's 10km marathon swim along the famous river in Paris. The water qua
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The water quality was approved by Games organisers in the early hours to allow the race to go ahead on time, though pollution issues had proved a headache during the triathlon events, with the men's race postponed by 24 hours.
Dutchwoman Van Rouwendaal downed energy drinks dangled from rods over the water during the gruelling six-lap course up and down the Seine but found she needed more refreshment to get past Australian training partner and friend Moesha Johnson.
"I was thirsty at some point, I was like drinking the Seine, so, let's see," the tough 30-year-old told reporters while cradling a bottle of cola.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. I didn't even vomit, normally I vomit out of pain but, yeah, I didn't vomit after the race."
The men race on Friday but the completion of the women's event without apparent incident may be a relief for city officials who have staked plenty on cleaning up the waterway.