Swimming is a sport with minimal rules: don’t run on the deck, avoid diving into the shallow end, and ideally, don’t pee in the pool. However, reality deviates significantly from this ideal. One of the ‘dirtiest’ secrets of the Olympic Games is that nearly everyone pees in the pool. Several athletes have weighed in on this topic. Swimmer Kate Douglass mentioned, “Everybody’s doing it more than you think,” while Bobby Finke added, “The people who tell the truth and the liars. So everybody pees in the pool.”
American para swimmer Jessica Long explained, “There’s no time for me to go pee regularly. So yes. It’s a thing we all do.” This revelation quickly went viral, igniting a debate on social media. Some users empathized with the swimmers, while others criticized them.
One user wrote, “My son is 2 and gets out of the pool to pee,” while another commented, “Everybody?! What?! Are we 5 years old here!”
Another user pointed out, “It takes 20 mins and usually a helper or two to put on their suits .. of course they pee in the pool lol.” However, some were less forgiving, with one user saying, “Why is this still happening at the professional level? That’s just disgusting. Equip the facilities properly and everyone needs to use the damn bathroom.”
Two-time gold medalist Lily King also shared her experiences. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, King said, “I’ve probably peed in every single pool I’ve swam in. That’s just how it goes.” Other Olympians echoed this sentiment. Jake Mitchell, who represented the USA in Tokyo, stated, “I always have to pee because I’m so hydrated.” Three-time Olympic medalist Katie Hoff added, “It sounds so gross to outsiders, but because there is so much chlorine, you don’t even think about it.”
Is It Safe to Pee in the Pool?
For those unaware, swimming pools are typically treated with chemicals like chlorine, which help protect swimmers from contaminants such as hair, dead skin, and even urine. According to CNBC, chlorine also eliminates algae and shields athletes from harmful compounds and waterborne illnesses.
However, this doesn’t justify urinating in the pool. As the amount of debris increases, more chlorine is required, which can irritate the eyes and skin.