It feels surreal that I leave for Paris in less than a week! I learned about this program during my first phone call with Dr. Neirotti just trying to learn about the MSSM program and it was a factor in my decision to come to GWU. I have always loved the Olympics and while I had to hang up my dreams of my winning my own gold medal, I can’t wait to experience the Olympic atmosphere and cheer on these amazing athletes.
One Olympic related news story I have been closely tracking is what is happening with the Seine River. The water quality has been a huge concern for open water swimming and triathlon athletes. Despite a 1.4-billion-euro investment to present sewage leaking into the river and improve the overall pollution levels, heavy rainfalls have caused bacteriological analysis parameters to exceed permissible levels. The athletes, rightfully so in my opinion, do not want to be competing in unsafe water. Given these are not short swims, they have a substantial chance of being exposed to bacteria. To combat these fears, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo promised to swim in the Seine to demonstrate the cleanliness of the water. Her initial swim was scheduled for June but had to be postponed given the bacteria levels were 10-13x higher than permitted levels (depending on where the water was tested). However, she finally completed her swim this past week claiming “it’s wonderful, very, very pleasant. It’s fresh, but not cold.” She was able to swim as the drier weather in July drastically improved the water quality. I commend Mayor Hidalgo for putting her money where her mouth is and being willing to swim herself in the river. I hope they can keep the water safe for these athletes – especially after the Parade of Nations sends hundreds of boats down the river for the opening ceremony.
I leave for Paris Wednesday evening on an Air France flight. I am curious whether they will do anything special to the planes given most people on board will be headed to the Olympics. It would be festive if they did! I am hoping the airports are ready for the number of travelers coming into Paris. My last visit to Charles de Gaulle airport was relatively smooth, but I know others who have not been as lucky. I am worried it will take hours to get my bags as they try to direct all the planes coming to the airport. Fingers crossed everything goes well!