The 2024 Olympic games have caused much talk and controversy surrounding this year’s events. Between the Seine River pollution, the athletes sleeping arrangements, and the convicted felon being able to participate, this years games strikes debate nationwide.
Something in the seine:
Before the Olympic games begun, the French Sports Minister, Amelie Oudua-Castera, decided that the Seine is completely safe for swimming events to take place in. Yet, this seemed to upset many people, athletes and viewers, because the Seine has been noticeably dirty in the weeks leading up. It was seen as very polluted, as the water was brown and dirty, causing people to challenge Oudua-Castera’s claim.
After discovering the Seine was infested with E-Coli, Oudua-Castera still allowed the Olympians to go forward with the plan to swim in the Seine. This furthered people’s worry and frustration, especially after discovering athlete Tyler Mislawchuk, athlete from Canada, threw up 10 times after taking a swim in the Seine. Many believed this was due to the polluted river, but in an interview with ‘Entertainment Online’, Mislawchuk spoke up and announced it wasn’t because of the water quality, but instead because he swallowed a lot of water while on a full stomach.
Other athletes were not so comfortable swimming in the E-Coli infested water. Jolien Vermeylen, a Belgian triathelete, who swam in the womens race said to reporters, “While swimming under the bridge, I felt and saw things that we shouldn’t think about too much.’’ Along with weird objects being in the water, Dutch competitors, when talking about swimming in the Seine, referred to the water as “disgusting” and “dirty”.
Another womens athlete, Rachel Klamer from the Netherlands, spoke to RTL (French radio/television station), Klamer said, “Swimming in the Seine was disgusting. The water was dirty, and conditions were unfair. A lot of swimmers came out of the water who are actually faster. The swimming was really a lottery.”
Sleeping struggles:
On top of the Seine sturggles, sleeping arrangmnts and accomodations for athletes were an issue as well. The athletes participating have recently been speaking out about how uncomfortable the beds have been for them. The beds are practically cardboard and according to several athletes the floor is more comfortable than the beds.
Matilda Kearns, athlete from Australia, wrote in a social media post that she already had to have a massage to “undo the damage.” The beds have adjustable firmness levels, but in the post, Kearns said the beds are still rock hard even on the softer side.
Many Australian officials purchased mattress toppers and more pillows for their athletes due to the uncomfortableness the athletes experienced. This helped make their sleeping experience much better, but no thanks to the Olympics.
Sophomore Eliza House shares her opinion on this topic, House said, “I think that it is bad for them because part of being a good Olympian is eating healthy, taking care of your body, exercising, getting enough sleep, etc. So if they cant have access to a good sleeping surface then they may not do as well at their sport.”
To add on to having uncomfortable beds, Asher Hong, United States Gymnast, said in the unit he was sharing with his teammates, “The still air is so hot. Theres no air circulation in there.” All these factors led to a very uncomfortable stay in Paris for the athletes.
Steven Van de Velde controversy:
Steven Van de Velde, from the Netherlands, beach volleyball athlete, was allowed to compete in the Olympics regardless of the fact that he is a convicted child sex offender. This has caused lots of anger and debates in the world since most believe he does not deserve the opportunity to compete. An online petition to get him banned from the Olympics gained over 90,000 signatures.
Van de Velde was sentenced to four years in prison, but only served 13 months. He was sent to prison for engaging in a relationship with a 12-year-old girl at the age of 19 because he “thought she was 16”. People are very upset that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed him to participate in this major event.
In an NOC statement, the IOC said he deserved a second chance because he “had grown and positively changed his life.” This led to more debate and controversy surrounding Van de Velde.
Junior Aya Elitr, speaks about her feelings toward this. Elitr said, “This should not be allowed in the Olympics due to the fact that these athletes are supposed to be representing the country and that is a very shameful person to use as a representation.”
Overall, the 2024 Paris Olympics, while entertaining and exciting, caused lots of debate and high emotions surrounding the well-being and representation of all atheletes and countries.
