With the Olympics in full-swing, a surprising – or perhaps unsurprising – report has emerged.
A Wall Street Journal investigation has brought to light one of the less-discussed aspects of competitive swimming: the widespread habit of peeing in the pool.
This issue has even permeated the ranks of the world’s top athletes, including those in the Paris Olympics.
The report disclosed that it is a common practice among elite swimmers to urinate in the pool during their training and competitions.
This practice is openly acknowledged by the athletes themselves.
“I’ve probably peed in every single pool I’ve swam in,” USA star Lilly King admitted. “That’s just how it goes.”
Zach Harting, a butterfly racer who competed for Team USA at the Tokyo Games, also shared his experience.
He recounted the moment he first urinated during a race, at a high school state championship in Alabama. He realized he couldn’t afford the time to use the restroom due to the tight schedule and his snug racing suit.
“The world changed for me,” Harting said. “Every time I went to a pool after that, I only considered myself to have swam in it if I peed in it.”
Swimmers argue that this habit isn’t merely a matter of convenience.
Competitive swimmers hydrate heavily right up until their events and wear ultra-tight suits designed for optimal hydrodynamics.
This combination creates a pressing need to urinate during races and training sessions, as explained by the Journal.
Despite the ubiquity of this practice, swimmers adhere to a simple etiquette rule: avoid urinating when someone is swimming directly behind them.
“You never want to swim through a warm patch,” noted Cullen Jones, a freestyler and four-time Olympic medalist.
While peeing in the pool may not be the most glamorous aspect of the sport, the report indicates that it’s a relatively common practice amongst competitive swimmers.
Now, be honest … have YOU ever peed in a pool???