The Paris 2024 Olympics featured many firsts for the Games, as well as the return of swimming events in the iconic river Seine, first featured in the 1900 Paris Olympics. Many swimmers, however, were less than thrilled with the idea of competing in a polluted city river, including American athlete Katie Grimes.
Grimes, who took home silver in the women's 400-meter medley, spoke about her experience in a new interview with TMZ. The 18-year-old phenom took to the Seine for the women's marathon 10-kilometer final and ultimately came in 15th.
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"The river was definitely a challenge. I've never had to swim with a current like that before. But it was such a historic race and something I'll never forget," she said. Still, just because it was a memorable time doesn't mean she wants to repeat it. "I hope I don't have to ever go in the river again, but it was a lot of fun."
"I was a little nervous before I got in, just hoping that I didn't get sick," she admitted. "But I honestly didn't think about it once while I was racing and I didn't get sick at all afterwards so I'm really grateful for that."
She's certainly lucky, as other Olympic swimmers who went in the Seine either threw up or were hospitalized.
Ultimately, though the river swimming was less than ideal, Grimes tipped her hat—or rather, her swim cap—to the City of Light: "Paris did a great job having the Olympics and it was so much fun."
It's safe to say Grimes won't be swimming in the Los Angeles River in 2028.
